KJo’s star-studded ‘Takht’ shelved

In 2018, ace Bollywood director Karan Johar had decided to try his hand at something new: a period drama titled Takht. He then announced that the film would feature a star-studded ensemble cast comprising Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar and Vicky Kaushal.

However, two years on, it is being reported that Takht has now been shelved permanently. A source close to the development told Bollywood Hungama, “Karan Johar’s ambitious project Takht has been shelved permanently. It was put on hold due to Covid-19 earlier. However, the team developing it have been having a hard time sorting their creative differences out and being on the same page.” The source added, “While Takht may not be happening, Karan Johar has been working on a love story for which he is considering Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as the leads.”

Talking about Takht, when asked how he will strike a balance in Takht as Bollywood period films have often been criticised for endorsing Islamophobia, Johar, in a past press conference,  had replied, "My dear, you are talking to a film-maker who's directed a film called My Name is Khan. My sensitivities to religions across the world will always be on point. Also, with Takht, this isn't a story that I wrote. History wrote this story, I'm only telling it."