The Curious Case of Kartik Aaryan – The Rise of an Outsider Now Dangerously Close to Getting Formulaic

When Kartik Aaryan delivered that never-ending rant in Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), few imagined that the boy from Gwalior, without a godfather, without a film-school tag, would one day go head-to-head with Bollywood’s biggest stars on Diwali. But that’s Kartik’s story. A decade of steady rise, a few stumbles, a few shockers, and a lot of heart.

THE RISE

Kartik started slowly. Pyaar Ka Punchnama was a surprise hit (₹12 Crores on a shoestring budget) and its 2015 sequel did even better (₹64 Crores), making him the poster boy of India’s frustrated millennial boyfriend. But the real turning point came in 2018 with Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, a Luv Ranjan bromance vs romance comedy that exploded to ₹108 Crores, making him an overnight star.

He followed it up with Luka Chuppi (₹94 Crores) and Pati Patni Aur Woh (₹97 Crores), both certified hits that firmly established him as Bollywood’s middle-class hero - relatable, charming, and bankable. From multiplex crowds to single screens, Kartik had cracked the code.

THE SLIP

Then came Love Aaj Kal (2020), his first collaboration with Imtiaz Ali. Expectations were sky-high, but the movie collapsed under its own weight. Audiences felt it was a performance on loop, and critics called it a “Kartik Aaryan parody.” The film wrapped up around ₹36 Crores and raised one big question—was Kartik overdoing Kartik?

THE COMEBACK

Two years later, he silenced every critic with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022). The movie brought families back to theatres post-COVID and emerged as one of the decade’s biggest blockbusters with ₹185 Crores domestic and over ₹260 Crores worldwide. It wasn’t just a hit - it was a statement. Kartik had arrived as a crowd-puller.

THE DIP

But success brings temptation and missteps. Shehzada (2023), his remake of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, was meant to showcase him as a full-fledged mass hero. Instead, it stumbled to just ₹32 Crores, becoming one of the biggest disappointments of his career. The very next release, Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023), won hearts and respect with its emotional story and sincere performance, collecting around ₹90 Crores. It proved Kartik could still charm when he dropped the swagger and showed soul.

THE FALL AND THE FIRE

2024’s Chandu Champion was his most ambitious project yet, a Kabir Khan sports biopic where he gave his all, physically and emotionally. Critics applauded his dedication, but audiences stayed home. The film ended its run near ₹85 Crores, below expectations. It wasn’t the knockout he needed, but it did earn him credibility as an actor willing to take risks.

Then came Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and this time, Kartik didn’t just bounce back; he roared back. Released on Diwali 2024, it took on Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again head-on and emerged as the dark horse winner. The film opened with ₹32 Crores on Day 1, went from strength to strength over the weekend, and ended up collecting over ₹210 Crores in India and ₹280 Crores worldwide. Kartik had officially entered the superstar zone. The outsider had beaten an entire army of established stars on the biggest release weekend of the year.

THE CONTROVERSY AND THE COMEBACK

In between all the highs, Kartik also had his fair share of industry drama. His fallout with Karan Johar over Dostana 2 made national headlines - rumors of creative differences, “unprofessional behavior,” and a complete fallout with Dharma Productions dominated news cycles. Most thought that was the end of that chapter.

But Bollywood loves a comeback story, and Kartik wrote his own. He’s now back working with Dharma on Nagzilla, a big-ticket action spectacle being mounted on a grand scale. He’s also signed Anurag Basu’s Tu Hi Meri Aashiqui, returning to his romantic roots. Talks are strong of another reunion with Luv Ranjan, the director who gave him his biggest breaks. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s reportedly headlining another Dharma film, Main Tera Tu Meri Tu Meri Main Tera (yes, that’s the working title for now).

THE ROAD AHEAD

As of now, Kartik stands as Bollywood’s most bankable outsider. In an industry dominated by surnames, he’s built his name purely on box-office numbers. He’s the only star of his generation who can open a film at ₹30 Crores without a Khan or Kapoor tag.

But the challenge now is different. His biggest threat isn’t competition, it’s repetition. The smirk, the charm, the monologues - they work, but for how long? Bollywood has seen many rise on formula, and just as many fade with it.

For now, the audience is still cheering for the boy from Gwalior who made it big. But whether Kartik Aaryan remains the Sonu who stole everyone’s hearts or becomes another Shehzada lost in his own kingdom, that’s the part of the story still being written.

The curious case continues…