Takht

While "Takht" remains an unreleased and eagerly anticipated project, its very conception earns it a place among Karan Johar's best directorial ventures. The film represents the pinnacle of Johar's ambition, moving beyond the familiar landscapes of modern romance and family drama into the treacherous and opulent world of Mughal history. By envisioning a grand-scale historical epic centered on the warring brothers Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, Johar signaled a bold evolution in his craft. The announced star-studded cast, featuring a powerhouse ensemble of industry titans and rising stars, was a testament to his unique ability to assemble cinematic events. "Takht" was poised to be his magnum opus, a film that promised the scale of a Bhansali epic filtered through Johar's distinct lens of complex human relationships and emotional grandeur. Even in its conceptual stage, "Takht" showcases the quintessential Karan Johar themes of family, legacy, and betrayal, albeit on a far more consequential and violent stage. The fratricidal conflict for the throne is the ultimate dysfunctional family saga, a "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" where the stakes are not just familial harmony but the very future of an empire. This project represents Johar's desire to merge his signature emotional storytelling with a genre that demands immense scale and historical nuance. Its inclusion on this list is a recognition of its audacious vision and the promise it holds, cementing its status as a legendary "what if" that captures the director at his most daring and artistically courageous.