The Uncertain Path of a promised Star Janhvi Kapoor, filled with obstacles.
Janhvi Kapoor worked exceptionally hard to play a cricketer in “Mr. & Mrs. Mahi,” which arrived in theatres on May 31. Her chemistry with co-star Rajkummar Rao was also quite impressive. But did you know that the sports drama was Janhvi’s first and only release this year? What’s even more shocking is that the number of shelved films in the actor’s filmography right now surpasses her upcoming releases.
Karna: A Mythological Epic That Never Took Off
Earlier this week, it was reported that Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s much-awaited pan-Indian film “Karna” has been shelved. The project would have seen Tamil superstar Suriya in the titular role alongside Janhvi as Draupadi. Despite a whopping budget of ₹350 crore, the team had already used ₹15 crore for pre-production before the project was halted. This cancellation has added to the list of high-profile films that Janhvi was a part of but never saw the light of day.
Takht: The Grand Historical Drama in Limbo
In 2018, Karan Johar announced “Takht,” leaving fans in awe of the casting coup he had pulled off with Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi, Anil Kapoor, and Bhumi Pednekar. However, the film could not go on floors as scheduled due to the COVID-19 lockdown. In 2021, KJo clarified that the film was delayed but planned to begin work on it after “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” (2023). Yet, three years later, there is still no update on “Takht,” leading movie buffs to believe the project has been shelved.
Rambo: A Missed Action Opportunity
The “Rambo” remake was one of Tiger Shroff’s most-awaited films, with fans excited about Janhvi being cast as the female lead. However, the latest buzz suggests this project has been shelved, allegedly due to Tiger’s back-to-back box office flops such as “Heropanti 2” (2022), “Ganapath” (2023), and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.”
Dostana 2: The Comedy That Didn’t Laugh
Movie buffs were thrilled when Karan Johar announced “Dostana 2” in 2019 with Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi, and newbie Lakshya in the lead. The shoot began before the coronavirus pandemic but came to a halt due to the lockdown. Later, it was revealed that Kartik walked out due to creative differences, which led to his infamous fallout with Karan. Eventually, the project was indefinitely shelved.
Spider: The Thriller That Might Still Crawl Back
Last year, news surfaced about Janhvi joining forces with Sidharth Malhotra for a thriller backed by Dinesh Vijan, titled “Spider.” However, a month ago, buzz suggested this project was shelved due to unknown reasons. There’s still hope for this one, at least until the makers confirm “Spider’s” status.
Upcoming Releases: A Glimmer of Hope
While these five projects have been indefinitely shelved, Janhvi does have three releases set to see the light of day. These include KJo’s “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” with Varun Dhawan, the spy thriller “Ulajh,” and her Telugu debut “Devara: Part 1” co-starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr.
The Cults Bay Concludes.,
The journey of Janhvi Kapoor in Bollywood has been a mix of highs and lows, with shelved projects casting a shadow over her burgeoning career. However, her resilience and talent continue to shine through her performances. As she gears up for her upcoming releases, fans remain hopeful for her continued success in the film industry.
