Ashutosh Gowariker directs 'Temple Raiders', docu-drama on temple idol smuggling
Synopsis
Ashutosh Gowariker steps into documentary storytelling with 'Temple Raiders', a four-part docu-drama tackling India's temple idol smuggling crisis. The series probes the global networks behind centuries of theft from Indian temples, blending investigative journalism with cinematic storytelling—a format the filmmaker says he's long wanted to explore.
Key Takeaways
Ashutosh Gowariker will direct 'Temple Raiders' , a four-episode docu-drama series on temple idol smuggling.
The series explores global networks behind theft and trafficking of sacred Indian temple artefacts.
Produced by Tudip Entertainment , Riverland Entertainment , and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions .
Raghav Khanna is the writer and creator; Gowariker describes it as his first documentary venture.
The project blends fact-driven storytelling with cinematic scale and multiple art forms.
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is set to direct 'Temple Raiders', a four-episode drama-documentary series exploring the global networks behind the theft and trafficking of sacred Indian temple artefacts. The project, announced in May 2024, marks Gowariker's entry into the docu-drama format and represents his first venture into documentary storytelling.
Production and creative team
The series is backed by Tudip Entertainment and Riverland Entertainment in association with Ashutosh Gowariker Productions. Raghav Khanna serves as both writer and creator, alongside producers Dipti Agrawal, Tushar Apshankar, and Jaishree Khanna. The project is being mounted on a large scale, blending fact-driven storytelling with cinematic techniques and multiple art forms.
Gowariker on his documentary debut
Gowariker revealed that while he has long been drawn to documentary formats, he had been waiting for the right subject. "When Raghav Khanna approached me with the concept of 'Temple Raiders', my response was immediate," the filmmaker said. "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 described the series as positioned in the space of "an expository and participatory docu-drama, bringing together facts, personal engagement, and storytelling in a compelling way."
The subject matter
Temple idol smuggling remains a persistent challenge in India, with hundreds of artefacts stolen from temples and sold into international art markets over decades. The series aims to shed light on the networks and mechanisms that enable this trade, combining investigative depth with narrative engagement.
Creative vision
Khanna described the ambition behind the project: "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." He noted that Gowariker 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."
Point of View
Overshadowed by sensational theft stories. By pairing a filmmaker of Gowariker's stature with investigative depth, 'Temple Raiders' could reshape how Indian audiences understand the scale and sophistication of cultural looting. The real test will be whether the docu-drama format can sustain tension across four hours without sacrificing factual rigour for dramatic convenience.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Temple Raiders' about?
'Temple Raiders' is a four-episode docu-drama series directed by Ashutosh Gowariker that explores the global networks behind the theft and trafficking of sacred Indian temple artefacts. It combines investigative storytelling with cinematic techniques to examine how temple idols are stolen and sold into international art markets.
When was 'Temple Raiders' announced?
The project was announced in May 2024 by filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker and his production team.
Is this Ashutosh Gowariker's first documentary?
Yes, 'Temple Raiders' marks Gowariker's entry into the documentary and docu-drama format. While he has long been interested in documentaries, this is his first directorial venture in the genre.
Who are the producers of 'Temple Raiders'?
The series is produced by Dipti Agrawal, Tushar Apshankar, Jaishree Khanna, and Raghav Khanna, with backing from Tudip Entertainment and Riverland Entertainment in association with Ashutosh Gowariker Productions.
How many episodes will 'Temple Raiders' have?
The series is being developed as a four-episode docu-drama, positioned as an expository and participatory documentary that blends facts, personal engagement, and cinematic storytelling.
