The shelving of Takht
Mahir Pandhi, who was attached to Karan Johar’s magnum opus Takht, has finally revealed why the much-anticipated period drama never saw the light of day. In a recent exclusive conversation, the actor admitted that the massive ensemble cast proved to be the project’s biggest hurdle. ‘It was impossible to get all actors together,’ he shared, explaining that coordinating the schedules of a star-studded lineup — which included Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, and Anil Kapoor — became an insurmountable challenge. The film, announced with much fanfare in 2019, was eventually shelved amid industry whispers, but this is the first time an actor has directly addressed the reason behind its cancellation.
Mahir Pandhi on TV industry struggles
Beyond Takht, Pandhi opened up about the darker side of the television industry, an arena he knows intimately. He spoke candidly about the exploitation actors often face, especially early in their careers. The actor also highlighted how regressive portrayals of women continue to plague Indian television, calling for a much-needed shift in storytelling. Typecasting, he revealed, was another early hurdle — being slotted into similar roles made it difficult for him to showcase his range. ‘It took time to break out of that box,’ he noted, adding that web series have finally given him the creative freedom he craved.
Creative freedom with Vimal Khanna
On a brighter note, Pandhi reflected on his recent work in the web series Vimal Khanna, where he credits the set’s creative freedom for helping him fully immerse into his character. He also praised his co-star Sunny Hinduja, saying, ‘When you have a good actor in front of you, the give-and-take becomes effortless, and the outcome of every scene turns out much better.’ The actor, who also made headlines for his Hollywood debut, seems to be carving a niche for himself beyond the usual Bollywood grind. With Takht behind him, fans are eager to see what he takes up next.