Takht, Karan Johar’s long-anticipated historical epic, was shelved due to logistical hurdles after the pandemic disrupted casting and scheduling, co-star Mahir Pandhi has confirmed.
Announced in 2019, Takht was meant to star Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bhumi Pednekar, and Anil Kapoor. Filming was originally scheduled to begin in March 2020, with a December 2021 release target.
Pandhi, speaking to Mid-Day, said the project — described by Johar as “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in medieval times” — faced near-impossible coordination demands once the industry shut down. “Takht was not a normal film. It was Mr Yash Johar’s last dream project and had a historic connection to it. When you write a script based on history, you can’t change the facts. Once COVID happened, it became extremely difficult to bring together so many actors and align their dates. Even if you wanted to plan it two years later, it would have been impossible to get the entire cast together.”
What Takht was meant to be
The film was set during the final years of Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign and centred on the power struggle between his sons Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb. Reports at the time cited a budget of around Rs 250 crore and emphasized its scale, with sets designed to replicate 17th-century Agra and Delhi.
Despite continued speculation about a revival, the project never moved beyond pre-production. Dharma Productions has not formally announced its cancellation, but no active development has been reported since 2021.
For now, Takht remains an unrealised ambition — a high-concept period drama that captured imagination but succumbed to timing and coordination constraints.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Karan Johar's film Takht after COVID-19?
Takht was shelved due to insurmountable scheduling challenges post-COVID, says co-star Mahir Pandhi.
Who was supposed to star in the film Takht?
The film was meant to star Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bhumi Pednekar, and Anil Kapoor.
Why was Takht's production delayed?
The project faced near-impossible coordination demands due to the pandemic, making it difficult to bring together the large cast and align their dates.
