'Takht' will be 'K3G' of Mughal era: Karan Johar

Johar's upcoming directorial will star Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Janhvi Kapoor to name a few

After becoming the hallmark of romantic-comedies in Bollywood, Karan Johar had decided to try his hand at something new: a period drama titled Takht.

The recently-announced film features a star-studded ensemble cast comprising Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Vicky Kaushal. And considering Johar will be directing the project, we can safely assume Takht will be grand, to say the least. Many are saying the film will be like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic dramas (Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat) but with a KJo twist.

PHOTO: SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI FILMS

In an interview with film critic Anupama Chopra, the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil film-maker spilled the beans on what fans can expect from his first ever period film.

"It’s based in the Mughal era. It’s history. It’s about two warring brothers and based on facts as we know them. Beyond that, it’s too early to say anything," said Johar, promising to make Takht his most ambitious project till date.

PHOTO: FARAZ MANAN/INSTAGRAM

"Opulence-wise and scale-wise, it’s my biggest to date. It’s scary and nerve-wracking. I’m scared every minute of the day," the 46-year-old continued. "It’s like the K3G of the Mughal era. But it’s more extreme, there is more betrayal. It’s has the tropes of court politics. It’s so rich in texture that I’m really petrified. And it’s not just the scale. It’s also the relationship dynamics.”

“It’s an unusual mix of talent. They are actors who have walked the parallel path, we have the superstar dynamic with Kareena, there’s Anil who I have never directed before," Johar said of the cast. "But each actor fits the part to the tee. It’s not that I have gone to them because I have access. It’s a strange dichotomy. Each one has never played a part like this and yet each one fit it perfectly.”

PHOTO: MID-DAY

With Ranveer in the lead, comparisons with Bhansali are but natural. “I would be lying if I didn’t admit that the comparison is very challenging. I love Sanjay’s aesthetic. The comparison scares me but I hope I can find my own voice. I hope I’m not doomed by it,” Johar shared.

Bhansali has clearly set the bar very high for other film-makers in Bollywood.

PHOTO: VOGUE INDIA

KJo said, "I also don’t want be overwhelmed by it. He has set the bar high and if I pay homage to his work, I will be proud of it. So much of my cinema pays homage to Yash Chopra but I still gave it my own vision and my own palette. More than the comparison, I’m afraid of not living up to the potential. I just hope I can do justice to the material."

Johar is known for larger-than-life family dramas such as the aforementioned K3G, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name is Khan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The film-maker most recently directed a short film as part of the Netflix anthology Lust Stories.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.