Kartik Aaryan recently visited the Khaleej Times office during his Dubai trip. Photographs by Shihab/KT
Despite the increasing size of his posters (though nothing can surpass the Burj Khalifa!) and the growing heft of his paycheck, along with the addition of more supercars like Lamborghinis and McLarens with each 100-crore hit, Kartik Aaryan remains grounded. He still embodies the spirit of a small-town boy from Gwalior, India. This humility is evident in his interactions with people, his warm greetings to fans, and his modest demeanor—unaffected by the phenomenal success of his latest film, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which has grossed over 250 crore (Rs 2.5 billion) globally and continues to climb.
During his recent visit to Dubai, the actor celebrated his cinematic achievements at the Khaleej Times office, marking his rise from being an outsider to Bollywood's lucky charm. His journey, though fraught with challenges, seems effortless. However, the question lingers: Is it lonely at the top? In a recent conversation, Kartik delved into the secrets of being a 'hitmaker' and the importance of addressing men's mental health in the industry.
With six consecutive 100-crore hits, three of which were post-pandemic, when filmmakers worldwide struggled to attract audiences back to theaters, what's his secret? 'Honestly, I just focus on my work and hope it reaches as many people as possible,' he says. Since the pandemic, he's been fortunate to work on a diverse range of films—Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Chandu Champion, Freddy, and Satyaprem Ki Katha—all of which came at the right time and allowed him to fully enjoy the process. 'I don't know if there's a secret sauce—I just give my all, 200 per cent, to every character and project I choose,' he adds.
If 100 crores were a dish, what would the recipe look like? 'Maybe it's like aloo chaat (popular Indian street food)! Aloo (potato) is something everyone likes and blends well with every dish—for the masses and the classes,' he muses.
What qualities does he think are essential for mass appeal? 'I think it's the reliability quotient. Everything has to resonate with people on some level. If I look at my films—Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luka Chuppi, Pati Patni Aur Woh—they all connect with audiences because of that,' he explains.
With OTT platforms offering endless options, how does he compete to bring people to theaters? 'I hope my films are something people want to see in theaters, with their families, in large numbers. It requires community viewing,' he says.
Working with Vidya Balan, who was the highlight of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 1, was a joy. 'She's so much fun and brings such energy to the set. She's open, always chatting, and super down-to-earth—no airs about being Vidya Balan. I feel fortunate to work with such talented people and learn from them,' he shares.
With his hook steps going viral, was Madhuri Dixit his dance teacher on set? 'No, but we had a few sessions in between, which I really enjoyed. She's someone I didn't expect to be so easy to talk to. It felt like we were back in college, studying together, chit-chatting, and gossiping. It was just such a relaxed vibe on set, with nobody acting like a “name”,' he laughs.
From his social media, it seems like he never sleeps. 'I've not slept in a month (laughs). I don't know. Sometimes, I feel as though 24 hours aren’t enough. It's all about work. When it comes to my life, I'm thinking, eating, drinking, sleeping—just thinking about my work. I always want to do more. It's what keeps me going—the energy and the excitement to keep doing more,' he explains.
Does he ever feel the need to disconnect? 'Maybe now, because of the kind of result we've gotten from the film, I'm hoping to get some rest before starting my next project. I feel like I need at least some “me” time, to disconnect. Right after Chandu Champion, I dove straight into Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3's set, and then it was released. So, I definitely need that break now. Maybe, I’ll go on a solo trip,' he says.
What does success mean to him, coming from where he did? 'Success is very relative. At first, success meant getting an opportunity to act in a film. Then, coming to Mumbai was a big success at one point in life. For me, getting my first big hit was success. Getting a relaunch with Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, so that people would know my name—that was success. Stamping those successes with other films, again, was success. Your aims and goals keep changing with time. I may have been aiming for certain things five years ago, but I wouldn’t be aiming for the same things now. Success can mean many things, but it is never permanent, so you should not get too attached to it,' he reflects.
With success also comes loneliness, and sometimes you can feel isolated in your experiences. So, is it lonely at the top? 'Most of the time, I’m either with my team or my family, and sometimes with my college friends, who are my real friends. So, I don’t know if it’s lonely. I’m happy to be surrounded by happy people. You can feel lonely, but it totally depends on your state of mind. There are two ways to think about it—you can either stay positive or think that you’re lonely. There is sadness and loneliness within everyone. Even if you’re surrounded by people, you can still feel lonely. It’s not about the situation or the circumstances. It’s just a very human emotion to feel lonely at times. And yes, it happens to me too, but it’s not something I feel all the time. Right now, I’m really happy, so I don’t feel that way at the moment,' he shares.
We’re in the month of ‘Movember’, which spotlights such issues. How can we foster more conversations around men’s mental health? 'Mental health is something that people should talk a lot more about because a lot of people still shy away from it. A lot of people keep their feelings inside—they don’t talk about feeling lonely or struggling mentally. We should be more open and vocal about mental health because when we bottle it up, it only builds up inside, and we might not even realise how much it’s affecting us. It's also important for everyone to understand that mental health is not gender-specific—it can affect anyone. Your mental health is very important, and the more you talk about it, the more solutions you'll find. That’s the first step. You need to talk to someone you truly trust, whether it’s a loved one, family, or close friends. I believe that once you start talking, everything else follows,' he advises.
Lastly, his birthday is coming up on November 22. Do you have any big plans to celebrate? 'Let's see. I’m still promoting Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 right now, so I’m not sure yet, but I hope to get some rest that day. Maybe some sleep (laughs), and I hope to be surrounded by my loved ones!' (*100 crores is an Indian term, referring to 1 billion)
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