Karan Johar: 'Takht' is the story of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb; excited to work with Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal

Bollywood director Karan Johar, who is currently gearing up for the release of his next film 'Simmba', recently graced the finale episode of actor, host and his close friend Neha Dhupia’s audio show 'No Filter Neha 3' and talked at length about his upcoming directorial project 'Takht'. The period drama has already piqued the audience's interest not just because it marks Karan's comeback as a director after 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' (2016) but also for having a stellar cast. The film will star the likes of Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor among others.

“Takht is the most passionate piece of material that I think I will ever direct. I’m hugely passionate about it. I’m obsessed about the Mughal era ever since I can remember. That’s the one part of history that I was obsessed about in terms of its visual texture, its controversial content, the political betrayal, the love, the lust, the decadence, the debauchery, the madness, the violence, everything. That era is exotic and it’s gorgeous. It’s absolutely beautiful,” Karan said.

Revealing a bit about the story of Takht, Karan added, “It’s something that I’ve always chased and wanted to kind of put up there and finally when Sumit Roy, the writer, came to me with the story of Dara (Shikoh) and Aurangzeb, which is pretty much the first time I’m saying that what Takht is about. I think it is that part of history that I’m so passionate about. I can’t wait to get into the prep mode which I’ve already started off, I can’t wait to put this film on the floors and I can’t wait for the world to see it. I’m so excited with the cast, I’m so excited about Ranveer, Vicky, Bhumi and Kareena and Jahnvi, Alia and Anil Kapoor who I’m working with for the first time.​”

KJo is excited about his film going on floors in September 2019. He is also thrilled to be working with an ensemble cast in the historical drama. The filmmaker has planned to focus only on the film during its filming stage as he said, “I’ve told everybody in the office that when I start that film, just leave me alone. When I’m on the floors with Takht, I just want to do that and nothing else. When I will start filming in August-September next year, I will be lost to the world of Takht.”

While revealing the first look of 'Takht' in August, Karan had described the film as, "An incredible story embedded in history...An epic battle for the majestic Mughal throne... A story of a family, of ambition, of greed, of betrayal, of love & of succession...TAKHT is about WAR for LOVE....(sic)."

Later in an interview with Film Companion, Karan said, “It’s about two warring brothers and it’s based on facts...It’s like the K3G (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) of the Mughal era. But it’s more extreme, there is more betrayal. It has the tropes of court politics. It’s so rich in texture.”