BOMBAY TIMES (June 27, 2019)

The suspense is finally over. We have it that Kartik Aaryan and Janhvi Kapoor have been finalised as the leads of Dostana 2.

Speculations about the second installment of Dostana have been rife for some time now, with names of various actors doing the rounds. However, the latest announcement has put all rumours to rest.

While Janhvi was appreciated for her performance in Dhadak and is seen as a talent to watch out for, Kartik, after his recent spate of films, has emerged as a teen heart-throb. A newcomer will join the two actors, to complete the triangular romantic-comedy. The film will also see producer Karan Johar introducing a new director, Collin D’Cunha.

Karan says, “I am excited to take the Dostana franchise forward with Kartik and Janhvi, and can’t wait to create some desi boy-girl madness with them. This is Dharma Productions’ (his banner) first film with Kartik and we are looking forward to working with him. We will also be introducing a new male lead, who will join the incredible talent at our production house. Collin D’Cunha also makes his directorial debut with Dostana 2.”
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Actors to play two of the three leads in the Dostana sequel that goes on the floors by the year-end and will release next year
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 27, 2019)

Eleven years after the release of Tarun Mansukhani’s Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Dostana, a sequel is in the works. Kartik Aaryan and Janhvi Kapoor have been roped in to play two of the leads in the Karan Johar production. According to a source close to the development, the third lead is a debutant.

The film has been in the scripting stage for a while now and will be directed by debutant Collin D’Cunha, who has previously worked as an assistant director on films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Talaash, NH 10, Secret Superstar, PK and Sanju. “The film follows a similar template as the original Dostana with humour woven in the screenplay. However, the subject of homosexuality will be tackled with sensitivity,” the source informs, adding that the sequel will go on the floors by the year-end and will hit screens in 2020.

Kartik recently wrapped up shooting for Pati Patni Aur Woh alongside Ananya Panday and Bhumi Pednekar and is currently shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s tentatively-titled #AajKal, co-starring Sara Ali Khan. After wrapping up the rom-com, he moves on to Anees Bazmee’s comic caper with Disha Patani. Janhvi, on the other hand, is working on the Gunjan Saxena biopic and Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy, RoohiAfza, which sees her in a double role for the first time.

In the past, KJo had routinely spoken about his plans to spin the film, which sees Abhishek and John’s characters pretending to be gay to rent a house in Miami, into a franchise. A few years ago, speculation was rife that the original trio would return for the sequel. It was soon followed by reports that Rajkummar Rao would be a new entrant as one of the leads.