Kartik Aaryan is having a dream run. 2022 has been one of the most important years in this young actor’s life, starting with Anees Bazmee-directed horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’s massive box-office success. From grabbing brand endorsements to gaining accolades, receiving awards to signing plum film projects, Kartik is the man of the moment in Bollywood. As he cuts his 32nd birthday cake, we list Kartik’s upcoming film releases.
Freddy
Directed by Shashanka Ghosh of Veere Di Wedding and Khoobsurat fame, Kartik plays a shy and lonely dentist in the direct-to-digital film Freddy. Kartik had to reportedly gain 14kg to look the part. Also starring Alaya Furniturewalla, the romantic thriller, written by Parveez Sheikh (who wrote the dialogues for the Netflix film Darlings starring Alia Bhatt and is also the man behind the story and screenplay of Kangana Ranaut’s Queen) will start streaming on Disney+Hotstar from December 2.
Shehzada
Set to release on February 10, 2023, the Rohit Dhawan-directed Shehzada is touted to be the official Hindi remake of Allu Arjun’s Telugu blockbuster Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The 2020 film had Pooja Hedge in the lead. Kartik is paired with Kriti Sanon in the upcoming action-drama which also stars Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala and Ronit Roy. Varun Dhawan’s elder brother Rohit last directed Dishoom in 2016 and Desi Boyz in 2011. We are waiting to see Kartik pull off some action stunts this time.
Satya Prem Ki Katha
Kartik has once again teamed up with Kiara Advani, for Marathi director Sameer Vidwans’s first Bollywood outing slated for a June 2023 release. Bankrolled by Sajid Nadiadwala, Kartik fans are eager to watch what the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 lead pair has in store in the romantic musical drama. The theme music and the first look have already garnered an optimistic response.
Aashiqui 3
The third Aashiqui film will have Kartik as the lovestruck hero, to be directed by none other than Barfi! maker Anurag Basu, whose last release was Ludo on Netflix. Music has been a highlight of this franchise. Music director Pritam will compose the Aashiqui 3 tracks. Several names are doing the rounds regarding the leading lady in the romantic musical franchise. It would be interesting to watch Anurag Basu collaborate with Mukesh Bhatt (who will back the film), following their early association in Saaya, Murder, Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story and Gangster.
Captain India
Helmed by highly acclaimed director Hansal Mehta, Kartik will play a brave pilot in Captain India. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Harman Baweja, the film chronicles the life of a commercial pilot and his tryst to save the passengers, putting his life at risk. Kartik will supposedly learn to fly a plane before the shoot begins.
Hera Pheri 3
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal recently confirmed Kartik’s association in the third instalment of the cult comedy film Hera Pheri, headlined by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Rawal. This surfaced soon after reports came out regarding Akshay Kumar withdrawing his name from the film owing to creative differences. After Kartik taking over Akshay’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, will Hera Pheri be next in line?
Kabir Khan’s untitled film
Directed by Kabir Khan, and jointly produced by Kabir Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala, the untitled project is supposed to be a big spectacle film. Based on a true event, the film goes to the floors in 2023.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
After the humongous business done by Bhulaiyaa 2 on its release in May this year, there is a big chance that Kartik will frontline the next instalment too.
