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Cover Story: Kartik Aaryan talks about Dhamaka his success streak and more

SoftwareTechIT November 17, 2021

Kartik Aaryan He’s not yet king but he certainly is the fresh prince of B-town, roaming around the corridors of glory. They’ve measured his head for the crown. He knows that when they measure the head, they also measure the neck because this industry is as likely to hang you from the gallows when you’re down as they are likely to salute you when your sun is up. He tells you the love of his fans is all the wealth he needs and then talks about the mega glitzy car he imported. He’s like a child then, lost among his toys, racing an imaginary race. But the race to stardom is anything but imaginary. You have to keep jogging ahead of the others, sometimes even with knives stabbed in your back. You have to lick your wounds on the run and do it with a smile on your face. He knows that too. Your family is the only support you have. They are your anchor in the sea of fluctuating fortunes, which change every Friday. Kartik is thankful for his family’s support and knows their value. In short, he comes across as a sorted, grounded individual, quite unlike his goofy online persona. But then, he knows how to play the social media game well. He’s all set to have the time of his life at the showbiz and is currently basking in the reflected light of the praise coming his way thanks to Dhamaka. Excerpts from a candid interview with the actor who knows how to create explosions at the box office the right way...
The Dhamaka trailer has shown us a brand new Kartik Aaryan, who is very intense, mature and in control...
(Laughs) Thanks for the compliment...I’m happy to hear that. You know I’m getting the same kind of feedback from everywhere for Dhamaka and my character Arjun Pathak. I’m glad that Dhamaka has created that kind of impact. I wanted to do a film like Dhamaka for a long time and during the lockdown, fortunately this opportunity came my way. The moment I heard the script I was super excited. When you have creative geniuses like Ram Madhvani, Ronnie Screwvala and Punit (writer), then such a result is expected. They are strong pillars of new storytelling.


Kartik Aaryan

How was it working amidst the pandemic for Dhamaka. You shot it in 10 days flat...
I think Dhamaka is the first film to get completed in record time but if we don’t innovate now then when? All thanks to the crew and our director, Ram sir who had literally planned everything air-tight. They had booked a full wing in a five star hotel and had created a bubble for the film. It was hectic but we enjoyed the process. Ram sir used to shoot with multiple camera setup. He used to take long shots. I had to do a lot of preparation myself and knew the character like the back of my hand. I’m so glad that we managed to pull it off in record time.

It looks like a challenging role. Describe your process of becoming Arjun Pathak?
Dhamaka is a nail-biting thriller and I loved it the moment I heard the story. The role was intense and
I had to get into that headspace because otherwise, I’m just a fun-loving guy. Luckily, the lockdown gave me enough time to prepare for the role and get under the skin of the character. I was pretty much isolated. I studied the character and his nuances, watched documentaries, studied journalists and their lives which all helped in bringing Arjun Pathak to life. The film is intense but we used to have a lot of fun behind the camera. Ram sir has a great sense of humour though he appears to be a serious person. I enjoyed the whole process of Dhamaka.

Kartik Aaryan

Is Ram Madhvani a hard task master?
It was a fantastic experience working with him. It wouldn’t have been possible to shoot this film in the time we did, without him. He chases excellence and inspires his actors to also give their best. He has his own new style of filmmaking, which is so different from others, not traditional, You know, we’d met for a different script, which was not so intense. But we started discussing  Dhamaka and Ram sir said, ‘let’s make this first.’ Now I keep saying to him ‘Sir sochna bhi mat kisi aur ke saath kaam karne ki’ (don’t even think of working with someone else) that’s the equation I share with him and I hope to work with him again soon.

Dhamaka, Freddy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Shehzada, Captain India and Sajid Nadiadwala’s next...Your lineup is impressive indeed...
It’s a dream come true for me and I have wanted this for a really long time. I’m a workaholic so I love choc-a-bloc schedules and don’t get overwhelmed by them. I feel blessed that my films have done well and now I have the opportunity to work with some extremely talented filmmakers. As an actor, I want to explore new genres and thankfully my lineup will see me essay really different characters. You’re said to be the man with a plan and have been following a set course. Yes. I have always had a ‘to do list’. I’m a guy with a plan. The success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS) gave me a chance to make my own choices. And I did that with my gut. I think being a movie buff since childhood helped me a lot in making my choices and maybe, that’s what helped me deliver these three successes in a row SKTKS, Luka Chuppi and Pati Patni Aur Woh. I just went with my gut and tried to do films that the audiences would like. Everything else is a byproduct of that.

Kartik Aaryan

It’s said that more than 1000 crores are riding on you today. Has the pressure to perform increased?
The pressure was always there and will always be there. I sometimes feel proud  to have reached a place today, where the audience and people associated with the movie business have big expectations from me and my films. In fact, it is good to have that pressure to some extent because it tells you how much this means to you. It pushes you to work harder. The extent of it may have increased now with the responsibility of the films I am on but I use the pressure to fuel me.
How do you deal with stress in your day-to-day work life?
I’m a workaholic and I need to work every second of my life. Waise bhi struggle mein itne saal gujar gaye, itne time baad kaam milna start hua hai (I started getting work only after a long struggle so have to make up for the lost time). I started from nothing. So every little bit of success that came my way was a huge positive. I never stressed about anything when I didn’t have work, so why should I have any stress now? I’m always happy. In fact, my team always insists
that I take a break but I refuse. I want to utilise every moment of my life in creating something.

Kartik Aaryan

You don’t believe in taking vacations...
As I said earlier, I’m the kind of person who wants to work every single day…
I show up on set with the same enthusiasm and excitement every single time and why shouldn’t I, when I’m getting to do what I absolutely love. I’m living the dream. So that’s the frame of mind I’m in. Having said that, I do take time out to
rewind and rejuvenate myself, it is very important to not burn out. Recently, I went to Dharamshala for a week’s time, just before the Dhamaka Trailer launch. It was a ‘me’ trip. I was all alone roaming around in the hills, enjoying street food, meeting people and unwinding. Now I’m going to have a long schedule for Shehzada and before that, I wanted
a small break for myself.

How do you celebrate your success… since you’re a teetotaller and not really a party animal?
My celebrations are simple – surrounded by the people closest to me, with my favourite food, favourite  music and just taking time off to actually be in the moment and enjoy it.

You recently pampered yourself by buying your dream car…
I had tears of happiness in my eyes when it came home. It was a dream come true for me to be able to gift myself that car. I took my family for a drive and just sharing that moment with them was incredible. More than getting nostalgic about my journey or success, I am inspired to work harder, do better, get better and be more and more worthy of all the love and support that keeps coming my way. Now I want to own a private jet. That’s next on my wish list.

Kartik Aaryan

You have this aura about you that one is automatically drawn towards you and likes you…
I’m just being myself. This is who I am. I enjoy life and I want people around me to be happy and entertained too. Perhaps that is what fuels my energy. I’m the same person I was in school or college… masti, mazak...
I haven’t changed a bit.

Not only your fans, your co-stars too love you. They keep taking on the challenges you throw their way. The Dheeme dheeme challenge was taken up by both Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone.
Hrithik and Deepika performing to Dheeme dheeme was indeed quite exciting. I would love to make a song reel with Deepika again. We had fun when we got together for the last one. But why just a song reel, I would love to work on an entire film with her.

What kind of film do you want to do with her?
I hope it’s a rom-com. It would be awesome to romance and serenade one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Do you recall the moment when you realised you’ve become a star?
Even after working in films, no one knew my name for the longest time. All they could recall was ‘woh jo lambe dialogue bolta hai.’ It was after the massive success of SKTKS that people started calling me by my name. And that’s when I realised that something has changed.

Kartik Aaryan

People felt that you won’t be able to make it and then you proved them wrong…
Honestly, I don’t really pay attention to what people have to say. I wanted to
be in the place where I am today, I wanted to work every single day of my life…the name, fame, money all come later. The audiences’ love is all the validation I need.

What’s the best compliment you have received for your journey in showbiz? What’s the worst thing you’ve heard about yourself?
It’s difficult to pick one but I remember a casting director once said ‘Iska kuch nahi ho sakta’  and he later told me I’d proved him wrong. About the worst thing I’ve heard, you need to tell me, because I try to stay away from the negativity and not let it distract me.

How do you react to negative comments on social media?
I’m a simple, small-town guy who has big dreams and is working towards them. Thankfully, I have always received praise and love from fans. I feel they see themselves in me and connect with my journey. They have always been supportive and encouraging towards me. I feel blessed with the kind of fan following and adulation I receive from the people, be it in real life or on social media.

Kartik Aaryan

What’s your boost up mantra for when you are feeling low?
Don’t let success go to your head or failure to your heart. A new day will come and everything might change. So don’t lose hope or stop but keep working hard and success will follow through. I live in the moment and I always appreciate what I have.

You love to post your pictures on Instagram… How much time do you generally take to write a caption?
Actually bahut time lag jata hai (it does take a lot of time). Sometimes pura din hi nikal jata hai aur kai baar turant aa jata hai (it takes the whole day sometimes and sometimes it’s spontaneous) I like sharing a part of myself with my fans and allowing them to get to know me better. I’m just chilling and having fun on social media.

You genuinely seem to love your fans and the adulation you get… is that what drives you?
It completely does. Like I’ve always said, the love I receive from audiences and fans is my biggest validation and number one motivator. In fact, I am a fan of my fans. They’ve  made me who I am today. I’m genuinely grateful to have this supportive fanbase and I don’t take
it for granted.

Three traits you have as a boyfriend that you would brag about?
I don’t know about three traits but I have one trait. No one will love you the way I do.

What kind of husband will you make? What’s an ideal relationship according to you?
That’s a tough question to answer. I will know that only once I cross that bridge. But I’ve watched my parents and my family and the love they share. To me marriage is a sacred bond, one that shouldn’t
be taken for granted. But I don’t think I’m at that stage of my life to make that commitment yet. When I do, I will be all in.

Kartik Aaryan

How do your parents react to your alleged relationships?
My parents understand it’s part and parcel of my job. I’m an actor and being an actor means every move is watched under a microscope and that rumours float at large. They take it with a pinch of salt and humour just like I do.
 
You seem to be very close to your family… especially your mom. What is the equation you share with her?
We are a very close-knit family with traditional values. I am extremely close to my mother and
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents’ blessings and support. To her, I will just be her son and not Kartik Aaryan the star and that’s how she treats me. Even today, if I’m late, she will call ten times and make sure that I reach home and she will be awake jab tak ki main ghar nahi pahunch jata (she’ll be awake till I don’t reach home).

Who are your four a.m. friends? I think those friends are the ones from my school and college days. They know the real Kartik.
I have few friends but I consider them to be as good as family and they are also my reality check when things get too dramatic or filmy.

If you had to play a sports personality on the big screen, who would you pick?
I really love tennis and football so I’d love an opportunity to explore that onscreen. But I also like cricket and would love to play Virat Kohli on screen.

from filmfares

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