When the world’s greatest symbol of love joins hands with a global movement for peace… a new journey begins. Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala, founder of the I Am Peacekeeper Movement, and acclaimed filmmaker Akbar Khan recently launched the global journey of Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story.While Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala has inspired a global movement dedicated to nurturing peace, compassion, dialogue and harmony among people, Akbar Khan has carried forward a lifelong cinematic vision that celebrates the enduring power of love through one of history’s greatest romances in his film.
Dignitaries at the event
In a collaboration supported by Wockhardt Foundation, the I Am Peacekeeper Movement and Mashreq Communications Ltd, the global resurgence of the 4K Dolby Atmos version of Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story has entered a new chapter, one that beautifully unites the universal messages of love and peace. The collaboration was formally unveiled during an exclusive invitation-only private screening on Aug 16, at Maison INOX, Jio World Plaza, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.This event marked the union of a humanitarian movement committed to spreading peace across the world and a cinematic masterpiece dedicated to celebrating love as humanity’s greatest unifying force. Together, they reaffirmed a timeless truth: enduring peace can only flourish where love, compassion and understanding exist.The gathering brought together distinguished personalities from diplomacy, business, arts, culture, philanthropy and civil society to celebrate the beginning of a collaboration that seeks to demonstrate how cinema and humanitarian initiatives can together become powerful instruments for building bridges between people and cultures. Those present included Dr Habil Khorakiwala, chairman of Wockhardt Group, and Nafisa Khorakiwala, his wife and chairperson of the group, Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala, executive director of group, CEO of Wockhardt Foundation and founder of the I Am Peacekeeper Movement, and Samina Khorakiwala, his wife and director of the foundation, Dr Murtaza Khorakiwala, managing director of the group, and Umaima Khorakiwala, his wife, a Mumbai-based professional, angel investor and former fashion designer, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy and his wife Kiran Juneja.Also present were HE Ali Abdulaziz Al Balushi, consul general of the Kingdom of Bahrain; HE Aliaksandr Matsukou, consul general of the Republic of Belarus; HE Dahila Tawakol, consul general of Egypt; HE Ivan Y. Fetisov, consul general of the Russian Federation; HE Suleiman bin Eid Al-Otaibi, consul general of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; HE Abdulla Husein Salman Mohd Al Marzooqi, consul general of the United Arab Emirates; and HE Yahya Yahya Saleh Ghobar, consul general of the Republic of Yemen. The gathering also included Mohammed Alkhelaifi, vice consul general of the State of Qatar, and Matvei Fetisov and Vladislav Morozov, vice consul generals of Russia.From the film’s cast, Arbaaz Khan, who delivered a powerhouse performance as Aurangzeb, and Arbaaz Ali, who portrayed the character of Emperor Jehangir in the most befitting manner with his personality and talent, were both present at the event. Other cast members, including Zulfi Syed, Sonya Jehan, Pooja Batra, Manisha Koirala and Kabir Bedi were unable to attend due to prior commitments.Speaking about the collaboration, Akbar Khan said, “The Taj Mahal has stood for centuries as humanity’s greatest monument to eternal love. Through this unique collaboration, we hope to carry that timeless message across the world. Love inspires understanding, understanding nurtures compassion and compassion ultimately leads to peace. If cinema can awaken these values even in a few hearts, it has fulfilled a purpose far greater than entertainment.“Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala added, “The I Am Peacekeeper Movement is founded on the belief that lasting peace begins within every individual and grows through compassion, empathy and understanding. ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’ celebrates these very ideals through one of history’s most enduring love stories. We are delighted to join hands with Akbar Khan as this timeless cinematic classic embarks on the next chapter of its remarkable global journey.“The film’s first overseas commercial release commenced successfully in Malaysia, where its grand premiere was attended by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who later shared his appreciation of the film too. The film received an enthusiastic response from Malaysian audiences, and its commercial release was inaugurated the following week. This was followed by Indonesia, further strengthening the film’s growing international presence. Building upon this encouraging momentum, the epic has now entered the next phase of its worldwide resurgence, with the Mumbai screening serving as the launchpad for an ambitious expansion into new international territories.Unlike a conventional international first-time release, ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’ is following a distinctive “one country at a time” global rollout strategy. Before its commercial release in each country, the epic will be presented at an exclusive invitation-only premiere, with a special endeavour to screen the film for the nation’s highest constitutional or royal leadership. Conceived as a celebration of cultural diplomacy through cinema, this unique approach seeks to foster dialogue, strengthen cultural ties and honour the timeless universal values embodied by the film. Only thereafter will the film be released commercially, allowing each country to welcome ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’ not merely as a theatrical release, but as a significant cultural and cinematic event.Inspired by one of history’s greatest romances, ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’ chronicles the extraordinary love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal while celebrating universal human values, including love, sacrifice, gratitude, forgiveness, humility, generosity, patience and compassion. Meticulously crafted in 4K and remixed in Dolby Atmos, the film has been introduced for a new generation of global audiences.
