Karan Johar's ambitious project Takht, once touted as a grand period drama and a dream project for the filmmaker, has data-faced significant delays and uncertainties that have prevented it from going on floors. Here’s a breakdown of why Takht never materialized as initially planned:
Initial Plans and Dream Project Announcement
Announcement and Concept: karan johar announced Takht in 2019 with much fanfare. The film was described as a period epic centered around the Mughal empire, focusing on the relationship between the Mughal emperor aurangzeb and his brother Dara Shikoh.
Star Cast: The film boasted a star-studded cast, including Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, kareena kapoor Khan, Bhumi Pednekar, Janhvi Kapoor, alia bhatt, and Anil Kapoor, which added to the anticipation.
Challenges Leading to Delay
COVID-19 Pandemic: The primary setback for Takht was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit in march 2020. The film was scheduled to start shooting in april 2020 but data-faced immediate delays due to lockdowns and restrictions. The pandemic disrupted the entire film industry, halting production across numerous projects.
Scale and Complexity: Takht was an enormous undertaking, with complex requirements including massive sets, a large number of workers, and intricate logistics. Johar described the film as needing "a thousand workers on site every day," emphasizing its grand scale and the challenges of coordinating such a production during a pandemic.
Nepotism Controversy
Social media Backlash: The nepotism debate, which gained traction in bollywood around 2020, further complicated matters for Johar. Given that Takht featured several star kids like alia bhatt and Janhvi Kapoor, the project data-faced social media trolling and criticism. This public scrutiny and backlash may have influenced the decision to put the film on hold.
Statements and Current Status
Karan Johar’s Comments: In an interview in 2021, Johar expressed that Takht was not shelved but was delayed. He highlighted that the film was a significant part of his creative journey, with two and a half years of preparation already invested. Johar assured fans that the project would proceed once the circumstances allowed.
Current Status: Despite Johar’s assurances, there has been no substantial update on Takht since the release of rocky Aur rani Kii prem Kahaani. On his 51st birthday, Johar announced a new directorial project, but details regarding Takht remain scarce. The film’s status remains uncertain, and there has been no official confirmation regarding its resumption or shelving.