Kartik Aaryan says he’s finally living his dream and is very proud of his days of struggle
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 29, 2019)

He tasted success right with his debut, the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series. And then there was 2018’s Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, which catapulted Kartik Aaryan’s career into another orbit altogether. And the success of Luka Chuppi and Pati Patni Aur Woh in 2019 has reinforced his spot there. “These three films changed my fate. Now, I’m in a really happy space,” says Kartik, who has a packed line-up next year. Excerpts from an interview:

You must be kicked with back-to-back hits in 2019?
Nothing tastes better than success, and with every successful film my desire keeps increasing ki aur chahiye. I am in a space which I could have only dreamt of. From ‘no options’ to ‘consecutive hits’ is something I still find unreal. I just wish this dream run keeps going on. It’s also a great learning experience because now, I am getting a lot of confidence – especially with Pati Patni Aur Woh’s success – in my own decisions. Ab ek conviction hai ki my decisions are correct. In my head, I’m very clear that the content of my films should be strong, which will eventually make them a success story.

After Sonu Ke…, this year established you as a bankable star with consecutive hits and a solid line-up. That way, has it been a breakthrough year?
Absolutely! Like a phoenix, I have risen from the ashes (laughs). Luka Chuppi and Pati Patni… have given me a foothold in the industry. Since then, thankfully, I’ve been busy. I’ve waited to be busy throughout my life and now, finally, I don’t have time for a lot of things and I love it. Plus, both the films this year connected me to the family audience. The Punchnama series was primarily all about youngsters, but Sonu Ke… brought in families and youngsters. Then, Luka Chuppi got families in a big way. And Pati Patni… attracted all age groups and families. So, that way, I will always remember 2019.

You have come a long way from your days of struggle. Do you ever look back and ponder?
I still feel the same. Mere ko zyaada change nahi lagta hai life mein. I was happy then and even now. It’s just that the opportunities, which I wanted in my life, have come my way now. Back then, maybe, I used to think twice before travelling or buying something. Now, I don’t have to worry. When I think about those days, it’s a happy memory. I’m proud of my struggle. Woh ek cheez hai jo main kabhi change nahi karna chahunga. It has taught me more than anything. Also, since I feel Sonu Ke… was like my re-launch of sorts, it’s like I’ve just stepped into films. Isliye bahut accha lag raha hai.

The year 2020 looks like a solid one for you already...
I’m really looking forward to the next year. I am very excited about Imtiaz [Ali] sir’s next, which comes out on Valentine’s Day. That has been one experience I’ll always cherish. After that, I have Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Dostana 2. While the former is very massy with strong content, the latter will push the envelope and the whole process has already been superb. All these films are very important for me. What makes me happy is that I get to work with such creative people. As an actor, I feel very fulfilled. I am learning something new every day. I can’t wait to watch all these films myself. I feel, as an actor, har film ke saath excitement rehna chahiye.

After Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’s mammoth success, Luka Chuppi was your next release, earlier this year. Were you feeling any pressure around that time?
See, I don’t blame people if they looked at me with a certain kind of disbelief and with a magnifying glass, thinking that maybe, Sonu Ke… was a fluke. Many were like, ‘kahin, one film wonder na hoke reh jaaye.’ If people thought that way, they weren’t wrong because they are the ones who were going to spend money on a talent. If you get down to basics, it’s a business at the end of the day. And till the time I don’t get filmmakers business, they will also see me through that magnifying glass. So, somewhere Sonu... gave me an opportunity to find my own way and my own journey. Thankfully, my graph is going upwards in a decent manner now, jahaan har cheez, pichle waali cheez se ek level upar jaa rahi hai. But I don’t blame anyone that they neglected me till last year or didn’t think highly of me. Luka Chuppi validated my success and gave confidence to filmmakers to put money on me. Then, I think Pati Patni… se aur bhi zyaada conviction aa gaya.

For you, what’s been the biggest takeaway from this year?
I have realised that khud ka conviction aur gut feeling is bigger than anything. It has made me more confident and empowered me to realise that what I am thinking is actually right. That has especially been a learning experience from Pati Patni Aur Woh’s success. I remember a lot of people would ask me that how does this film fit in your line-up [of work], and why would I play a married husband at this stage as that might turn away my audiences — youngsters — as they won’t be able to identify with me. Many were like, ‘why did you have such a de-glam look with a moustache?’ But I feel a character has to be above all of this. However, from inside, I was like, ‘let the film come out’. Now, it has done wonders and I am really happy with the results. The entire journey required a lot of hard work and conviction. Conviction bahut mila hai, as I went ahead with it against all odds. So, my learning is that it’s only content that works.

When it comes to choosing films, do you now go only by your conviction or there’s some science behind it too?
I think conviction comes from planning only. I think a lot. In fact, sometimes, I feel I am an over-thinker. It’s not as if everything is happening without any kind of planning. Before Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, my life was such that I wasn’t in a position to plan much. But now, I can choose from scripts and films. Yes, I didn’t plan that every film of mine should be a sequel (laughs). But otherwise, what was planned was that quality of content must always be strong. Plus, content ke kucch commercial aspects bhi hone bahut zaroori hai because I myself like to watch those ‘commercial’ films. Overall, somewhere down the line, since I am so massy and commercial at heart, I’m able to strike a balance — and I’m very happy about it — between audiences’ demands and my own choices. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but abhi tak kar paa raha hoon, so fingers crossed that it continues this way.

This year also saw you being linked to multiple co-stars…
I have just focused a lot on my work. Also, I have never spoken about my personal life as I don’t like to. More importantly, I am not the only one involved, there’s someone else as well. So, it’s better ki main chup hi rahun. I can just say that I am in a happy phase in all aspects of life – personally and professionally.

2019 and changes in personal space!
To start with, my mum and dad are happy but since I don’t get to spend enough time with them, they also get a bit upset. They are like, ‘iska busy hona accha hai but hamare liye itna mazedaar nahi hai (laughs)’. You know, earlier this year, when I went to Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) to shoot for Luka Chuppi, it was like life had come full circle. I was shooting at the spots where I would think of becoming an actor. And I went as a chief guest to the schools where I would talk about my dreams to friends. All these experiences have actually been like a film. Whenever I look back at those times, I am like, ‘pata nahi chala ki kahaan se kahaan travel kiya hai maine.’ Time just flies by.