Acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is stepping into uncharted territory. The director, known for landmark films like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar, is entering the documentary space for the first time with Temple Raiders, a four-episode series exploring the theft, smuggling and international trafficking of sacred temple artefacts from India.
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Temple Raiders: Project Snapshot
3Te series is created, written, and showrun by Raghav Khanna, who brings a strong track record in non-fiction storytelling. For Khanna, the series continues his track record of taking Indian stories to global audiences, following projects such as The Elephant Whisperers, The Mumbai Mafia and The Hunt for Veerappan.
This collaboration marks a significant evolution for Ashutosh Gowariker, who has spent decades crafting large-scale historical dramas. Now, he brings that same visual grandeur and emotional depth to a story rooted in real-world crime and cultural loss.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Temple Raiders |
| Director | Ashutosh Gowariker |
| Creator/Writer/Showrunner | Raghav Khanna |
| Format | Four-part docu-drama series |
| Production Houses | Tudip Entertainment, Riverland Entertainment, Ashutosh Gowariker Productions |
| Producers | Dipti Agrawal, Tushar Apshankar, Jaishree Khanna, Raghav Khanna |
| Co-Producers | Priyanka Chaudhari, Ashutosh Gowariker |
| Genre | Documentary drama / Crime / Heritage |
Why Ashutosh Gowariker Said Yes
Explaining his decision to take on the project, Gowariker said, “I have been watching documentaries across different genres for several years now, and the documentary form has always intrigued me deeply. I have often thought about making one, but never quite found a subject that truly engaged me, something I felt a strong connection to and could do justice to. When Raghav Khanna approached me with the concept of Temple Raiders, my response was immediate. It is a subject that has been quietly simmering for years, the theft of our idols from countless temples across the country, and the larger story behind it.”
He added, “I would like to present this as a 4-episode docu-series, positioned in the space of an expository and participatory docu-drama, bringing together facts, personal engagement, and storytelling in a compelling way.”
What Temple Raiders Will Explore
Positioned as a high-end docu-drama, Temple Raiders aims to blend fact-based storytelling with cinematic scale, exploring real-life events through a gripping narrative lens. The series seeks to spotlight issues surrounding India’s cultural heritage, particularly the long-standing problem of temple idol theft and illicit trafficking.
Khanna shared, “From the outset, the ambition was to create a series that expands documentary dramas on their scale, tension, and emotional immersiveness. ‘Temple Raiders’ is a layered and character-driven thriller where faith and greed collide. Ashutosh sir has directed the series with empathy towards the story sensitivities while putting on the forefront the many gripping and fantastical elements associated with the series.”
Key Creative Elements
| Element | Approach |
|---|---|
| Visual Style | Gowariker brings his distinctive visual style to non-fiction storytelling. The series is mounted on a grand scale and will incorporate multiple cinematic styles and art forms to create an immersive viewing experience. |
| Narrative Tone | An emotionally charged and layered thriller that examines the collision of faith, history and greed. |
| Documentary Format | The series will combine factual investigation, personal engagement and cinematic storytelling within an expository and participatory documentary style. |
What the Producers Are Saying
Tushar Apshankar of Tudip Entertainment highlighted the project’s thematic strength, saying, “What stood out to us immediately was the power of Temple Raiders as both a story and a subject.” Co-producer Priyanka Chaudhari emphasised the evolving nature of documentary formats, saying, “There’s a clear shift happening in documentary storytelling today, with a growing focus on formats that are structured, scalable and global in their outlook. This docu-drama series is being mounted on a grand scale, reflecting the ambition to push the genre forward. It highlights how powerful documentary storytelling can be when important stories are backed by strong production value, clear intent and disciplined execution.”
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FAQs
What is Temple Raiders about?
Temple Raiders is a four-part docu-drama series on idol smuggling. The series explores global networks involved in theft and trafficking of Indian temple artefacts.
Who is directing Temple Raiders?
Ashutosh Gowariker, known for directing landmark films like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar, is directing the series, marking his first venture into the docu-drama genre.
Who created Temple Raiders?
The series has been created and written by Raghav Khanna, who will also serve as showrunner. Khanna is known for his work on projects such as The Elephant Whisperers, The Mumbai Mafia and The Hunt for Veerappan.
Who is producing Temple Raiders?
The series is produced by Tudip Entertainment and Riverland Entertainment alongside Ashutosh Gowariker Productions.
How many episodes will Temple Raiders have?
Temple Raiders is a four-episode series exploring the theft, smuggling and international trafficking of sacred temple artefacts from India.
