Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; November 4, 2019)

Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan, who will be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s next, the sequel to Love Aaj Kal, have been grabbing headlines lately for the status of their relationship. In a recent Diwali picture, the duo was in the same frame but standing apart, further fanning rumours which have been doing the rounds, that they have spilt-up. A few months before this, they were photographed spending quality time with each other in Lucknow.

While most believe that this romance spilled over from reel to real life while working on the sequel to Love Aaj Kal, when BT caught up with filmmaker Dinesh Vijan, who has bankrolled this project, we brought up the subject their love story, and he told us, “I have not had the time to speak to Sara and Kartik about anything in the world. They’re busy, and so am I. But they’re very special to me. I remember when Saif (Ali Khan) and I had started Illuminati Films and were launching Love Aaj Kal, Sara was in the office for the puja. I have known her since she was a little girl. Life has indeed come a full circle and she is a part of the Love Aaj Kal’s sequel as its leading lady. Kartik did Luka Chuppi with us and he’s someone I value a lot. Ditto, Imtiaz Ali, who I am teaming up with after a very long gap. So, for me, this film is above controversies and unnecessary attention.”