Raj & DK's Rakt Bramhand faces the axe? Filmmaker duo denies cancellation rumours

The highly publicised fantasy epic Rakt Bramhand— The Bloody Kingdom on Netflix India is still in limbo four months after financial issues halted production. According to some in the know, the streaming giant is seriously contemplating cancelling the show owing to growing losses and unresolved financial issues.

Production stalled after financial misconduct allegations

Production on the show came to a halt in February after Peeping Moon revealed an instance of financial misconduct involving the executive producer. A reevaluation of the show's finances and operations was initiated by the probe into accounting errors and mismanagement of funds.

The creators Raj & DK, together with a newly recruited executive producer who has worked with Aamir Khan and Farhan Akhtar's production houses before, met behind closed doors at Netflix's headquarters approximately two weeks ago, according to sources. The goal was to figure out how much it would cost to get the halted show back on air.

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Netflix unwilling to absorb further losses

A source stated, "About two weeks ago, Netflix held a closed-door meeting with creators Raj & DK and the new executive producer, who has previously worked with Aamir Khan and Farhan Akhtar’s banners. They examined the existing budget and the actual costs required to move forward. The figures simply failed to align. Netflix has already incurred significant losses from earlier shoots — much of which needs to be reshot anyway — and they’re unwilling to invest further in what’s already deemed high-risk."

A full reshoot is now being considered for the series, which was allegedly budgeted at over ₹200 crore. They have to start over, which means they're throwing out all 26 days of material that was previously shot. With an initial estimate of over 200 crore, the delay places an enormous financial strain on the project. According to another insider, Netflix has a track record of dumping projects after substantial investment to avoid long-term losses. It appears that they are following this similar pattern with Rakt Bramhand as well.

Uncertainty clouds cast members’ commitment

The cast lineup has also been impacted by the delays. The cast of Rakt Bramhand, which includes Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ali Fazal, is rumoured to be in limbo regarding the show's future.

The script has been heavily revised, adding to the uncertainty. Sources close to the project have confirmed that a lot of the material that was shot before does not align with the new concept.

Raj & DK deny problems

In response to the entertainment portal's inquiry, Netflix provided a statement from Raj & DK, in which they denied the problems and assured that production on the show will continue. They said, "This is an ambitious epic project unfolding over multiple schedules. We just finished most of our indoor talkie schedule, and we are now prepping for the next big schedule that is mostly outdoors and action. The plan is to wait for the rains to clear for a suitable filming window. We also need lush greens for this period piece. So yeah, we are prepping for the next big action schedule."

However, sources indicate that the delay appears to be permanent. One individual involved in the production stated that it feels unlikely to restart anytime soon, adding that they've been delaying it for so long.

Project announced in 2024

Announced in July 2024, the series was set to be directed by Rahi Anil Barve of Tumbbad fame and would offer a huge fantasy story filled with intense action and breathtaking visuals. With no concrete word on when or if filming will resume, the future of Rakt Bramhand is uncertain at this time.