Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 16, 2018)

Ever since Karan Johar announced that his forthcoming film Takht is a historical epic, it is being compared to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period dramas, especially since the movie also stars Ranveer Singh, who has already acted in SLB’s magnum opuses like Bajirao Mastani (2015) and this year’s Padmaavat.

Set against the backdrop of the Mughal Era, Takht, which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar, goes on floors next August.

However, KJo says it’s unfair to draw such parallels. He explains, “Many people were shocked when they heard I was doing a period film. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they should compare me with Sanjay. He’s a master of the craft and I hope the audience enjoys my period film just as much. If you ask me whether my language as a filmmaker will come across or not, I’ll only say that I can’t keep myself away from anything I do (referring to the larger-than-life scale of his films that have dollops of drama and romance).”

The maverick also argues that he’s often not acknowledged for the ‘different cinema’ that he offers to viewers. “The idea is to take myself out of my comfort zone. I have tried to do that even with the short films I’ve helmed and the topics that I’ve addressed as a filmmaker. But somehow, I never get credit for such things. I’m often told, ‘Oh, you make movies that are only about rich people and first-world problems.’ I’m fed up of justifying myself, but it’s sad that no one talks about a My Name Is Khan (2010) or a Bombay Talkies (2013) or a Lust Stories (2018). I even raised a topic like infidelity in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), which was considered taboo. But everyone will just go on about the popcorn, bubble and the sets of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). So, I’m doing Takht thinking, ‘Maine kuchh naya nahin kiya hai’. But I hope to prove people wrong with it,” asserts Karan.