Kartik Aaryan

Overview

Kartik Aaryan is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Hindi-language films. Born on 22 November 1990 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, he rose to prominence with the comedy-drama Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), in which he delivered a long monologue that became widely circulated online. Over the following decade he established himself as one of the leading commercial stars of Hindi cinema, particularly through romantic comedies and the horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022).

Key facts

Background

Kartik was raised in Gwalior in a Brahmin family of medical professionals. He moved to Navi Mumbai for higher studies, enrolling in an engineering course at D. Y. Patil College, which placed him within commuting distance of the Hindi film industry. During his student years he attempted modelling assignments and audition rounds while pursuing his degree, eventually shifting focus entirely to acting.

Career

Early work (2011–2014)

Kartik made his screen debut in Luv Ranjan's ensemble comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama, produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. His extended monologue about relationship grievances drew widespread attention. He followed this with Akaash Vani (2013) and Kaanchi: The Unbreakable (2014, directed by Subhash Ghai), neither of which performed strongly at the box office.

Breakthrough (2015–2019)

Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015), again with Luv Ranjan, became a commercial success and consolidated his on-screen image as a contemporary urban male lead. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), also directed by Ranjan and co-starring Nushrratt Bharuccha and Sunny Singh, emerged as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of that year. He followed it with Luka Chuppi (2019), opposite Kriti Sanon, and Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019), a remake of the 1978 film of the same name.

Established stardom (2020–present)

After Love Aaj Kal (2020) by Imtiaz Ali, Kartik appeared in Dhamaka (2021), a Netflix release directed by Ram Madhvani, in which he played a television journalist. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), directed by Anees Bazmee and a spiritual sequel to the 2007 horror-comedy, became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the post-pandemic period. He subsequently starred in Shehzada (2023), Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023) opposite Kiara Advani, and Chandu Champion (2024), directed by Kabir Khan, in which he portrayed Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar. He reprised his role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024).

Timeline of selected films

Significance

Kartik Aaryan is regarded as one of the few Hindi film actors of his generation to have achieved leading-man stardom without a film-industry background. His trajectory—from outsider auditions to opening commercially successful films—has been frequently cited in discussions of changing star economics in Bollywood after 2018. He is also among the more visible brand ambassadors in the Indian advertising market, endorsing products across categories including consumer technology, apparel and food and beverages.

Related topics

• Bollywood
• Luv Ranjan
• Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
• Hindi cinema
• Gwalior
• Kabir Khan
• Murlikant Petkar

References

• Filmography records maintained by the Central Board of Film Certification, India.
• Trade reports from Box Office India on the theatrical performance of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.
• Interviews and profiles published in mainstream Indian newspapers including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times and The Times of India.