The music maestro has been denied permission to perform at a venue with the majestic Taj Mahal as the backdrop

A R Rahman was looking forward to performing at Agra's Mehtab Bagh, which commands a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal in the backdrop.

He wanted to launch the soundtrack of his next movie, Ek Deewana Tha at the historical site. But the Archaelogical Survey of India has denied permission.

It is learnt that the permission was not granted, thanks to a Yashraj film that was shot earlier there. According to a source associated with Ek Deewana Tha, "The ASI said that during the shoot of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, the crew damaged a portion of the site.

But the refusal came as a surprise because soon after MBKD, one of Gautam Menon's films was shot there. The source says that the ASI has now suddenly become more strict with granting permissions.

So, now Rahman will have to make do with shooting inside a five-star hotel.