Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 22, 2018)

Kartik Aaryan is still coming to terms with the success that’s come his way in 2018. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS), which released in February this year, turned the tables for the young actor. Today, he has been noticed by filmmakers as well as brands. Not just that, he’s also been paired with leading heroines in his upcoming project.

The Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor moved into his new plush apartment in Juhu, two days ago. That is where we catch up for breakfast. Over a cup of coffee and omelettes, the 29-year-old actor, who turns a year older today, talks about his birthday plans, career goals and relationship status. Over to him...

What are your birthday plans this year?
I don’t have any grand plans. I’m not partying, though it has been a great year for me. I just didn’t get the time to plan and call people. Unless my friends land up at my place, there is nothing on the cards. My parents are in the city this year, so, I may go out for dinner with them. Usually, my mom travels to Mumbai to be with me on this day. She bakes a cake for me. I’m sure she’s making one this year, too.

Do you like celebrating your birthday?
I do. In fact, I like celebrating it in a big way with my friends and family. Party throw karna, kahi pe bahar jaana... I enjoy all that. I love gifts, but there won’t be any return gifts (smiles). That’s a huge motivation for me to throw a birthday bash. But jokes apart, it’s fun because you feel important and get all the attention.

What’s your fondest memory of a birthday?
There are two. A few years ago, we were shooting for Pyaar Ka Punchnama outside a gurudwara in Delhi. The crew got so many cakes for me. One of my co-stars smeared it on my face. Soon, I was running behind others with one in my hand. It turned into a cake fight in no time. I remember that fondly because suddenly we were like kids again. Last year, I celebrated the day with my fans for the first time. A fan club had organised a small event. I had asked my team to connect with them and met them. I had got such lovely handmade gifts — there were pictures, scrapbooks, collages and frames. I was overwhelmed with the love I received that day.

How has the success of SKTKS changed things for you?
This year has been extremely special. Yes, SKTKS has changed a lot of things — my life has gone topsy-turvy. I wanted to be in this position for the longest time and it has taken me quite a few years to each here. I’m happy with the way my career has shaped up. For the first time, I played a quintessential Bollywood hero. The likability that people had for the character translated onto real life. 2018 is turning out to be a great year for me... I’m hosting awards, getting a lot of them and performing at award functions. There are many firsts that are happening this year.

Do you think you are in a place to choose the kind of work you want to do?
Yes, 100 per cent. Iss position pe aane ke liye toh itni mehnaat ki hai. But when you get to this place, it becomes all the more tricky. You can’t predict what happens on the Friday that your film releases. But I can be happy and content knowing that I can pick what I feel works best for me rather than having to do things for money. I couldn’t have taken such decisions last year. Thankfully, I can do that now. 2018 has been a miraculous year for me. I’m living a different life this year. When I look back even at the last two years, I was struggling financially. One of my Fridays has worked wonderfully, so I deserve it (the success) right now. Kal ko next waala agar acha nahi gaya, I won’t deserve it as much. Koi aur aa jayega, but I don’t want that to happen. So, I have to make sure I make the best choices.

Considering this is the time you are focussing on your career, is there any space for a relationship?
There’s always space for a relationship. Again, it’s the kind of job that I’m doing in which you tend to lose out on time. And I’m someone who loves working. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice because of the nature of the profession. The erratic schedules leave you with no time for yourself either. These are the professional hazards of being an actor. I might not be able to be there completely for someone else. So, I don’t want that guilt of hurting someone.