Kartik Aaryan is the rising superstar. His latest release, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, brought good news to the cash-strapped Hindi film industry. It earned over 100 crores within the first ten days of its release and enjoys huge word of mouth publicity. It brought family audiences back to theaters. There is a real buzz among the audience for the movie and it is indeed good news for the whole industry. Man is a creature of habit and the Hindi industry needed a product to get the masses to pick up that habit. The Kartik Aaryan’s standout turns out to be exactly that. The actor is grateful for all that his film has achieved and hopes to reach higher levels in the time to come. He shares his happiness with Filmfare in an exclusive interview…
Your movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 had the biggest opening this year? What do you have to say about that?
I am extremely grateful to the public for this historic opening! As an actor, my biggest motivation has been to entertain audiences, and the love that’s pouring in from the masses is not only encouraging but also validating on so many levels. It’s not just a celebration for the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 team but for the Hindi film industry as a whole, and we’re so happy the film has been embraced the way it has.
Does this put additional pressure on you for the future?
The day I start to overthink things and get pulled down by corporate economics or the pressure of expectations, I won’t be able to focus on my job, which is to deliver the best entertainment and performance possible.
The industry says Kartik Aaryan saved the industry. Do you think so?
I am flattered and touched by this statement. However, I have miles to go and a lot more to do. I am currently enjoying this phase of my career and the results it is giving only encourage me to push the limits a little further.
How do you view your journey so far?
It’s been a roller coaster… Every step of this journey has been a learning experience, and I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to do such amazing work and face such different characters in each film. .
How do you analyze your career so far?
I feel like I just started my journey and I still have miles to go. I feel that I still have a lot to do, a lot more to learn, a lot of room for improvement, and this is only the beginning! My goal is to become the number one player in the industry. So I work double hard now. Currently, I feel extremely lucky to be in a position where directors and producers trust me with their subjects. So I will continue to do my job, entertain the masses and work towards my goal until then the show must go on.
What made you sign the film? Was it a tough call considering the first one was a massive hit?
Honestly, I was given the script first without knowing what movie it was for, and I jumped right in because I loved that script. And then when I found out it was for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, it was icing on the cake. I had watched Bhool Bhulaiyaa when I was in school and I couldn’t even have imagined then ki iski kabhi suite banegi and I would be offered the role, so when that happened it was surreal and c t was a huge honor to be part of this iconic franchise and it was also a huge responsibility. I’m glad people are entertained by our work.
Did you feel nervous about stepping into Akshay Kumar’s shoes?
Mister Akshay (Kumar) is a legend and no one can do what he does. I grew up watching it. I always watch it. I love him as an actor and as a person. I’ve never felt that pressure to put myself in his shoes because they’re such big shoes to fill. But from my side, I did my best to materialize the confidence that Mr. Anees and the producers had in me with this brand new film, new character and scenario, which contains elements of the world of Bhool Bhulaiyaa to give you this nostalgia .
Your thoughts on being part of such a great franchise…
It’s a surreal feeling to be associated with a franchise that my friends and I all loved growing up. It’s like a dream that I couldn’t even dream of coming true.
The song Hare Ram took the country by storm… What do you have to say about it?
I was just overwhelmed with how the title track took the country by storm. It was trending on YouTube as soon as it was released and it was the most viewed video in the world, so to see that kind of response was really amazing. It has reached 100 million views on YouTube. We did a one-of-a-kind launch for the song in 4 different cities where the masses gave it so much love and I’m glad the song’s zigzag step went viral. People are addicted to this dance step.
How did it go with Tabu?
There were so many things to learn from Tabu Madame just by watching how she works on a set. She’s a fabulous actress. I have always been a fan of her growing up and feel blessed to have worked with her, and hope that I will have that chance again.
You also made your OTT debut with Dhamaka. How was this experience?
As an actor, all I can ask for is a platform to deliver my art. Whether in OTT or on the big screen, the experience of telling different stories is my only destination. The two platforms have different experiences. Having my movie just a click away for consumers around the world is like a different magic than the experience of watching larger-than-life movies in theaters, and both are amazing.
Did your idea of media change after playing media yourself?
Absolutely. News anchors do it so well that I always thought it was such an easy job, but it wasn’t until playing Arjun Pathak that I realized how much responsibility comes with the task and how difficult it is. You need to captivate the audience and connect with them every time you face the camera.
When did you realize you would become a star?
It certainly wasn’t overnight, but I think after Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, that change started to happen, when people started to recognize me and call me by my name. I am very grateful for the position I have reached in my life and career today, and credit should be given to my audience and my fans.
Does fame rest comfortably on your shoulders?
Fame for me, to date, has meant nothing but love from my fans. So as the love grows, I feel more and more motivated to push my limits and work harder for them, because they are the reason I owe my success. Also, fame is a dynamic concept that always comes and goes, but it’s my family that always helps me keep my feet on the ground and remember my roots, so I always focus on my craft and on my job to be the best out there.
Do you have a group of friends who will give you an honest opinion? Who will honestly tell you if you’re bad at a movie?
My friends are brutally honest with me, and my family is even more honest with me. My parents and my sister watch all the movies and I get honest feedback from them. They keep me down. They help me stay connected to myself and are the first to tell me if I did poorly in a film.
Have you seen a movie poster or trailer lately and thought you should have been a part of it?
Recently, I saw Dr. Strange in the theater and thought to myself, I want to be part of a Marvel universe. They really know how to create magic.
When was the last time an actor’s performance humbled you?
I can’t think of just one. There are so many great actors in our industry and so many of my contemporaries gave incredible performances, like Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi, which was just superb, and many others.
Do you remember your first audition?
Honestly, I owe my first audition to social media. While in college I was going through Facebook and following all the audition and casting call pages so that’s where I came across this post for a young boy who needed a profile to match mine , so I went for it and, by the grace of God, I was selected. It was only then that I found out it was for the movie, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, and then everything that happened was in front of the public.
What do you think of marriage? What are the essential ingredients for marriage?
I believe in the institution of marriage. But right now I’m married to my job now and would like to stay focused on the same. The ingredients of marriage for me are love, trust, and commitment, and I’m putting all of that into my work right now, and I’m glad it’s giving me the same back.
What is your vision of love ?
Love is a beautiful, pure and personal feeling, and I am a romantic at heart. I’m happy to have so much love from my family and fans, but when it comes to the romantic side, I feel like it just happens on its own and there’s always a new approach.
You are now the most eligible bachelor… A pressure?
(Laughs) What’s the pressure on that? The fact that I’m single means that I’m the one who has no pressure on me. Right now, I’m just focusing on my work. I plan to stay like this until I feel ready enough to focus on something else.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope I live the life I imagined and worked for – which is to be the number one star
