16 FEB 2023

The Rise Of Shehzada Kartik Aaryan

SHAURYA THAPA

kartik aaryan is back 

After an under-the-radar OTT release last December (Freddy on Hotstar), Kartik Aaryan is back in Shehzada that releases on February 17.

photo: india today

But did you know Kartik Aaryan was once Kartik Tiwari? 

Here's his story...

HUMBLE ORIGINS

Born in Gwalior in 1990, Kartik Tiwari was the son of two doctors. He went to Mumbai to pursue a biotech engineering degree from DY Patil College.

photo: netflix india

acting dreams

But he would secretly harbour Bollywood dreams, often skipping classes to attend auditions. He also tried modelling but with little success.

photo: india today

a facebook casting call

A casting call on Facebook for Luv Ranjan's romantic comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama landed him his breakout role. 

photo: imdb

the life-changing monologue

Some find it sexist. Some find it funny. But Aaryan's 4-minute monologue and lead performance in Pyaar Ka Punchnama put him on the Bollywood radar. 

photo: tenor gifs

a successful start

Back when he was known as Kartik Tiwari, he debuted in Pyaar Ka Punchnama while in third year of college. The film became a sleeper hit. 

photo: india today

range with akaash vani

Contrary to Pyaar Ka Punchnama's reactions, his second film with Luv Ranjan (Akaash Vani) was praised for addressing male chauvinism. Sadly, the film flopped. 

photo: imdb

PUNCHNAMA COMES TO THE RESCUE

In 2015, with Kartik Aaryan ready to pursue fulltime acting, his stardom soared with an even longer monologue in Pyaar ka Punchnama 2. 

photo: imdb

a star is born

Roles in future hits like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), Luka Chuppi (2019), Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019) prove that Aaryan is here to stay. 

photo: imdb

an enigmatic actor

With his movies up to 2019, critics found him funny, relatable, and an everyman's lover boy. However, they were also concerned over the sexist undertones in his movies.

photo: imdb

a bad 2020

In 2020, Aaryan starred in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal which flopped terribly. Aaryan was also fired from Dostana 2 due to creative differences with Karan Johar.

PHOTO: INDIA TODAY

bhool bhulaiyAa 2 

Aaryan was initially criticised for replacing Akshay Kumar in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. But with its 2022 release, the film became a surprising success and his highest grosser.

photo: imdb

ott experimentation 

In 2021, Aaryan made his OTT debut with the Netflix thriller Dhamaka, followed by 2022's Freddy. Both films drew mixed reviews but critics praised Aaryan's range. 

Photo: netflix 

shehzada

Aaryan will be seen next in Shehzada, an action drama that will also mark his debut as a producer. Luka Chuppi collaborator Kriti Sanon will star alongside him. 

photo: imdb

HERE TO STAY

Given that Kartik Aaryan gave one of 2022's biggest hits, surpassing even Akshay Kumar, movie offers for him are only going to increase. All eyes are on Shehzada now!

photo: imdb