Dismissing criticism that his movies tend to be sexist, Pati Patni Aur Woh actor Kartik argues his performances in women-centric films have rarely been highlighted
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 6, 2019)

Young girls may love his easy charm and that infectious smile and the box-office gods may have smiled down upon him. However, a section of the audience approaches Kartik Aaryan films with a hint of skepticism. Their bone of contention is that his movies — with the aggressive monologue vilifying women in Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011) or the now-edited joke about marital rape in Pati Patni Aur Woh — tend to have a misogynistic streak to them.

"I have done several women-centric films, be it Akaash Vani [2013], Kaanchi [2014] or Tanuja Chandra's short film Silvat [2016]. But all my work has been highlighted in films like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety [2018], Pyaar Ka Punchnama and Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 [2015]. So, people feel I am being troubled by someone or I am the troublemaker," begins Aaryan when we meet him at a suburban hotel.

To make his case, ironically, the actor points to Pati Patni Aur Woh that offers a comic take on infidelity. "The film is not sexist or misogynistic on any level. Bhumi [Pednekar] and Ananya's [Panday] characters are strong and opinionated. They aren't used as props. My character is caught in a situation because of which he does certain things. At the end of the day, it's a fictional world and we are here to entertain people."

In his eight-year run in the industry, Aaryan has worked hard and earned his place at the top. Prod him on whether he should be more responsible in the themes that his films tackle, since he is one of the promising stars, and he defends his choices: "My films are content-driven. I got a lot of love from the audience and my validation comes from them. Sonu Ke Titu... was a progressive film when it came to bromance. Luka Chuppi spoke about live-in relationships in a small town. Both films earned over Rs 100 crore at the box office. I am an outsider who is trying to make it big in this industry. I am proud of all my films. I am doing the right kind of work, and I am in the best phase of my life."

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 5, 2019)

Kartik Aaryan is a social media addict. Ask him if he can survive without his phone and the answer is,‘perhaps for five minutes’. Thus, it was a task to get him away from his phone and focus on the interview. But once he got talking, the garb of a movie star disappeared and what surfaced was a small-town boy, who loves movies and revels in the newfound fame he has achieved. Kartik spoke to us about his relationships, high-repeat-value monologues and his upcoming film Pati Patni Aur Woh (PPAW), directed by Mudassar Aziz. Read on...

You clearly can’t stay without your phone, are you a social-media addict?
Yes, I cannot stay without my phone even for five minutes, I get withdrawal symptoms after that. I am a social-media addict. Of course, I do a lot of work on my phone, too, but I should cut down on my phone time. I barely sleep for two hours these days. My parents get hassled seeing this routine.

A lot of people believe that eventually, social media is all about validation. Director Imtiaz Ali once said, ‘It gives you an illusion of importance.’ Your thoughts?
It depends on how you perceive it. I just enjoy clicking pictures, using filters and posting them. I don’t do it to seek importance or grab virtual attention. That I get in real life. There is a kind of peace in this social-media madness. All of us are invested in it, but it has nothing to do with validation. It’s a great tool to interact directly with your fans or colleagues. You get to show your off-screen persona to your fans. Thankfully, I mostly get positive comments and as long as they outnumber the negative ones, it’s fine. I also look at everything that’s written about me as constructive criticism, as it helps me a great deal. At the end of the day, you cannot impress everyone.

PPAW features the remake of the 1998 hit song, Ankhiyon Se Goli Mare, which featured Raveena Tandon and Govinda. Farah Khan, who choreographed your new track, told us that you need to be a filmi keeda to pull off a song like this...
(Cuts in) Except for my background, everything is filmi about me. I have grown up on Hindi films and I have had that keeda is in me since childhood. I was happy that Farah ma’am choreographed that song. She is one of the most commercial directors and choreographers we have. She has no filter and I like that about her. The steps in the song have mass appeal, and that’s what I like about it the most.

It is good for actors to have mass appeal. But at the same time, the term ‘massy’ is frowned upon by a section of people...
All our superstars have mass appeal. I am not elitist in my choice of cinema. As an actor, I want to reach out to a wider audience. I have danced on rooftops to promote my songs, I love being massy. I don’t look at it in a negative way. Massy hona is not everyone’s cup of tea as you need to have that connect with a wider audience. Be it Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), Luka Chuppi and now PPAW, along with being commercial entertainers, they also have good content. The content needs to be relatable and entertaining. I am happy that I am getting these massy films because they give me a chance to reach out to more people. I like films that are a good mix of content and commercial entertainment.

After the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series, you became popular for your monologues. Even today, people request you to repeat those lines…
Wherever I go, I am told to say these monologues, and there is nothing to complain. A lot of people crave for identity, and I am blessed that right from my first film, my monologues became popular. I had no contacts in the industry, no big banner launched me and yet, I was noticed, thanks to these monologues. I am proud of my films. Whether people like them or not, is their decision. I did Akaash Vani (2013) after Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), which was a completely different film. Between the Punchnama movies, I did a short film called Silvat, directed by Tanuja Chandra, and that was critically acclaimed. I have done a mixed bag of movies, but because Punchnama and Sonu Ke... did well, those films get highlighted more.

Your monologue in PPAW came under the scanner for trivialising marital rape...
My second film Akaash Vani dealt with marital rape. It addressed a significant issue, I would never trivialise something as sensitive as that. That was never our intention. The monologue has been rectified. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments. I am an actor. I am not a producer, director or writer and I don’t tend to interfere, but I would never want to hurt anyone’s sentiments while doing my job. I am just waiting for the film to release so that people know that we never intended to hurt anyone. The audience’s validation is most important to me.

On a lighter note, are you single?
I don’t talk about my personal life.

Do you believe in marriage?
I believe in the institution of marriage and I think I will be a great husband. I will take good care of my wife and I will be honest with her.

PPAW is about a guy who gets caught between two girls. There were similar rumours about your real life as well. How do you react to these stories?
I have become so used to these rumours that one day, if they don’t write these stories about me, I will feel that something is wrong. There is nothing to deal with. I am in a happy space and I am constantly working. I don’t care about my link-up rumours. My mind is occupied with how I can push the envelope with my work. As far as PPAW is concerned, it’s a modern take on relationships.

What do you think has worked for you as an actor and what is it that you need to work on?
My strength is my relatability. I am the guy next door, who people can identify with. I think that works for me. But sometimes, I am unable to communicate what I really want to say to people. I can’t express openly. I think that’s my biggest weakness.

Rachit Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; October 15, 2018)

Filmmaker Luv Ranjan, who’s made the successful Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS) and Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP) movies, was accused of sexual harassment by an anonymous actress. Since then, the director has denied all allegations and had issued a statement where he also apologised. Actress Nushrat Bharucha, who has worked with Ranjan in SKTKS, PKP and many other movies, too issued a statement recently, supporting the director and vouching for his integrity.

In her open letter, Nushrat stated that the #MeToo movement was a significant one, but she also criticised false accusations. She narrated her first meeting with Ranjan and his team, where she was informed of her role in PKP and that she would be required to wear a bikini and have kissing scenes, too. She recalled that both Ranjan and his team were thoroughly professional. Her statement further read, “The one main reason I have worked with Luv Ranjan and his team over and over again, is that I feel safe, I feel protected, respected and cared for. They have, in fact, always given me the courage to take action against any such wrongdoings. Every girl in his unit, right from an actor to an AD to a costume stylist to a set designer to a line producer to our hair and make-up staff, has been given that same backing, that same power to come forward and report anything inappropriate and no matter who the man in question was, be assured that he would be reprimanded/fired from his unit. And as a matter of fact, in every such case, has been. Now, it was up to us to use this power responsibly and I am sure every girl in his unit would have her own story to tell.”

Nushrat also narrated incidents when Ranjan was prompt to act on sexual harassment complaints on the sets of the films that they worked on together. She revealed, “I also remember a day during the filming of Akaash Vani when we packed up and I was walking out of my make-up room, I saw a female crew member crying silently in the corner. We heard her story and implored her to go and report it to Sir right away, knowing he would take action against whoever it was. And he did. He fired the man at once and made sure extra caution was taken to ensure no one tried anything like that again on set. Ayesha Raza Mishra ji talked about an incident on the set of SKTKS, where a female crew member had been a victim of inappropriate behaviour by a male actor. Luv Sir took a stand and fired the actor from the film, recast and reshot those scenes.”

Nushrat’s co-star from the PKP films, Sonnalli Seygall had also come out in support of Ranjan recently. In her statement, Nushrat called Ranjan a man she trusts. She also added, “These are his beliefs and these have been his actions. He has been a shield for us all and protected and guided us whenever we’ve felt uncomfortable with anything or anyone.” Nushrat’s full statement can be read on her social media handles, too.

Nushrat Bharucha (DNA; March 24, 2018)

Nushrat Bharucha can’t stop smiling. Her last release, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is inching towards the Rs 100 crore mark and her phone hasn’t stopped ringing. “My life has changed drastically. I have now become an option for projects that earlier I probably wouldn’t have been considered for,” she beams. Here, she talks about the kind of roles she wants to do, directors she wants to work with, and more...

Has life changed after the super success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety?
Drastically! I was looking forward to connecting and working with certain producers and directors from the industry whom I have already known. Now, when I go to meet them, their first response is, ‘Aap toh star ban gayi. If I call you, will you answer the phone or someone else will?’. People are looking at me in a new light. It’s almost like, ‘We knew she was around, she did a decent job in the films that she was seen in, but now she is somebody we can depend on’. The film has done so much business — the (box office) numbers have made me a sort of dependable actor. I guess that’s why the business matters. Overall, when they set up projects, they know what will work commercially. In that respect, I have become an option for a lot more projects.

Are flooded with offers?
I have started meeting people. I am looking at doing something that I have not done before. I am considering a mix of things, maybe two-three different genres. Or I will wait for something I really like doing and do that one thing for the next one year. I am still taking my time because it’s crucial. If I take a wrong turn now, it will ruin all my hard work.

When you say you want to do something you haven’t done before, do you have anything specific in mind?
I want to be a part of Imtiaz Ali’s movies like Rockstar, Jab We Met, and Tamasha, where you are totally immersed in terms of performance and his world. His movies are romantic — the Sufi kind — with heartbreak and journey. I would also like to be part of movies like Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara and Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya, which are based in small towns. I want to explore that space. I felt Alia’s (Bhatt) characters in Udta Punjab and Highway were a great contrast to the other films that she was doing at that time. As an actor, she was exploring different sides, which is what I would like to do, too.

Are you saying you don’t want to do any more light films?
I have already made an identity and a distinctive place for myself in light-hearted romantic films. Issine mujhe naam diya hai. So, I will continue doing these kinds of films. Only because of these movies can I think of experimenting with something completely different and become a wholesome entertainer.

Kartik Aaryan, Luv Ranjan and you have become a winning team. What is the secret?
I think our stars are perfectly aligned! Kaam bhi kar rahe hai aur ek doosre ko acchi tarah se jaante bhi hai. It’s not as if we have only hits. We have done Akaash Vani, which was a flop. We have gone through lows and highs together. The most important thing for me as an actor is that I should be able to free my mind of doubts and inhibitions. And, all three of us are able to shed our inhibitions at least among ourselves and create that magic. Our minds are receptive to any creative improvisation. We work in a happy space and that is probably why we are working together repeatedly.

Luv Ranjan’s films have been accused of being misogynistic. What is your reaction?
I know what people have said about his films. But the first thing you have to see is whose story it is. Both, Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP) and the sequel, were from the boy’s point of view. It was about what happens after two people, who are in love, have spent time together for five-six months. It was about the bad days and not the good days. There are many love stories where everything ends happily, but this was about what happens when love goes wrong. And for the three boys, it went wrong in PKP. Secondly, it was a comedy where things are exaggerated. That is why certain comedies work the way they are. So, in the writing and performance, we did that. For me as an actor, my character was in an unreal space, it was caricaturish. The film was about three boys being stuck with three wrong girls. If you make PKP from the girl’s point of view, it would have been the other way round. The boys would have been wrong for the girls. That wouldn’t have been misogynistic.

What about Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety?
In this film, the girl is herself saying, ‘I am flawed, I am the villain and this is what I am going to do in life’. She is actually challenging the guy. It cannot be misogynistic because we haven’t shown the girl doing anything wrong. Which girl doesn’t see the bank balance of the guy she is marrying? Not only the girl, even her parents want her to marry a financially-secure guy. She is being practical to a point that ‘if I get married and come into the house, I will decide for my man and vice versa’. She doesn’t want his friend to come into that space. That girl doesn’t do any wrong to her fiancé. It’s not about whether she is right or wrong. The question is whom does the boy choose. Does he want to keep his friend or be with his girl forsaking the friendship? He chooses his friend over the girl. There is nothing misogynistic about it. But, because the first two films (PKP and PKP 2) had that flavour, it got carried to Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.

Luv Ranjan, the new Midas at the box office, on why he is on a break from direction, and his first big production featuring Ajay Devgn, Tabu
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2018)

Luv Ranjan is amused when he is repeatedly questioned about his casting choices. After his successful directorial debut, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, in 2011, he reunited with Kartik Aaryan and Nushrat Bharucha, along with Ishita Raj Sharma and Sonnalli Seygall, for the second instalment in the franchise and delivered another sleeper hit. His recent release, Sonu Ki Titu Ke Sweety (SKTKS), is the second biggest grosser of the year so far, second only to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s headline-grabbing Padmaavat. The bromance, co-produced by Luv and Bhushan Kumar, has entered the Rs 100-crore club at the box-office and features Kartik as Sonu, Nushrat as Sweety and Sunny Singh as Titu and Ishita as Titu’s ex. Even Sonnalli makes a fleeting appearance as Sonu’s date. “In our industry where everybody is constantly cribbing about how we don’t give newcomers a chance, I’ve stood behind my actors for seven years. I do things on my own terms,” the newly-crowned Midas asserts, adding sheepishly, “I also end up going over-budget on all my films. Even with Kartik, Nushrat and Sunny, I spent an extra Rs 12 crore on SKTKS.”

The Ghaziabad-born writer-director, who arrived in Mumbai at age 19 in search of a big break, recalls that he was warned that his film was releasing around examination season, and with a tongue twister for a title, the project could backfire. “When I was making Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Viacom18 conducted a massive market research and told me that this was the worst title ever because no one understood it. They suggested different titles to me, but I went ahead and it led to a successful franchise. When a story works, everything works. When a trailer is good, people are bound to flock to the theatres. If SKTKS hadn’t worked, everyone would have blamed the title,” he says.

An avid Bollywood buff, Luv has enjoyed David Dhawan films as much as Sadma and Satya. He believes AkaashVani which he wrote, directed and even turned lyricist for, is his most heartfelt work yet. But the 2013 film with its strong feminist message, featuring Kartik, Nushrat and Fatima Sana Shaikh (in a cameo), was a box-office dud. He admits it was a mistake to promote it as a ‘romcom’, come up against Race 2 and indulge on the length. “But it’s because of Akaash Vani that I know how not to fail a film today,” he insists, saying he’d like to work with such stories now that he has reinvented himself as a director and can command a bigger budget to make a more commercial AkaashVani in the future. “An IIT professor from Kanpur messaged me saying that the film made her look at her troubled marriage from a new perspective,” he recalls.

The film cemented his bond, forging a successful collaboration, with producer Abhishek Pathak. “We were the only two youngsters at a mutual friend’s wedding in Himachal Pradesh and since we were both New York Film Academy alumni, we connected. I narrated the script of Akaash Vani to him and he immediately wanted to produce it,” Luv flashbacks, admitting that due to budgetary constraints, the project never took off, but a year later, Abhishek and he collaborated on Pyaar Ka Punchnama.

AkaashVani was his second film and it broke his heart when it failed, more so because both co-producer Kumar Mangat and he suffered huge losses. “I decided to be more practical and return with Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. A franchise film seemed like a safe option,” Luv admits, revealing that he had wanted to narrate a comedy from a woman’s point of view with lots of male-bashing humour, but it was not a great time to experiment. “I will do all that in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 3,” he says, adding that he doesn’t have a script yet and isn’t planning to direct any more films this year. “Franchise films are like gulab jamuns, you need to take a break after you’ve eaten two. I am a fast writer but a slow director. I take two years to make one film, from start-to-finish, but I enjoy writing all the time,” the filmmaker reasons.

Luv is currently location-hunting in Himachal Pradesh with long-time editor Akiv Ali, who will turn director with an urban comedy that he is producing. The Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh-starrer is the first of around five films from his slate. “The first schedule was completed in January and the project should wrap up in the next five months. The audience will see Ajay in a young romcom after years. I’ve always been a big fan of Tabu and wanted to explore her comic timing having enjoyed her turn in Biwi No 1,” he smiles. Buzz is, Ranbir Kapoor wants to collaborate with him on a romcom too? “Ranbir and I have met and want to work with each other soon. But there is no script yet,” says Luv.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 11, 2018)

The image of a conniving Kartik Aaryan badmouthing a woman in his recent hit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is far removed from the first one I have of him — a gharelu boy fetching his mother breakfast at a Dubai hotel, where we were attending an awards gala together. While other actors had a horde of women for company, Aaryan walked hand-in-hand with his mommy, proudly planning a day in the desert city and at malls with his ‘date’. I knew then that Aaryan has a mind of his own. Even though then trying to establish himself among the A-league, he cared little of what the world thought of him. Just about as much as he did when they constantly rebutted him for signing on similar roles ever since he debuted with Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011). “Have you ever considered that maybe, I want to be repetitive? Maybe, I have a different agenda?” In the midst of celebrating the success of his latest release, Aaryan opens up on the ‘plan’ behind stereotyping himself, and defends the derogatory tone used against women in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.

While watching this film, I interacted with a family that had come to see it for the 10th time. Could you decode the reason behind this unexpected craze for the film?
I did not know the film had such a high repeat value. The madness [people are showcasing] for this project is of another level; even the Punchnama series didn’t achieve this feat. With this film, I feel everything is falling in place for me. It is testament to the fact that relatable content sells. The characters have a recall value. People can see themselves or their stories unveil on screen. This film’s selling point is its bromance. I suppose people felt that if they don’t have a selfless friend, there’s a void in their life. It makes them cherish friendship.

How do you defend the criticism against the film’s undertone, which is evidently derogatory towards women?
When we started Punchnama [which also had a similar undertone] people cited the same concern. But, no one remembers that my second film, Akaash Vani (2013), was a love story which saw me take a stand for the woman I love. The film had a social message, but it didn’t work. So, people also need to make a note of what they appreciate. Sometimes they take movies too seriously. For this film, there were more positive reactions than negative. We aren’t showing women in bad light. After all, we are the same team that made Akaash Vani. No one celebrated our great message then. Why can’t we see stories from the perspectives with which they are narrated? This is Sonu, Titu and Sweety’s story, narrated from Sonu’s perspective. It’s fiction, just a movie. We aren’t propagating anything. People should enjoy it.

You were part of a short film called Silvat, which had Tanuja Chandra at the helm. Do you think that could’ve been an image-changer for you had it released?
The choices I’m making are ones that I’ve carefully planned. Certain things don’t work at the box office, and I have no qualms in admitting that some of the choices I made were wrong. But every move was calculated. My career started at the age of 20, and a six-film-old actor shouldn’t be stereotyped. The industry is sending me some amazing scripts. But I want to do youthful films and become popular among the young generation. Seventy per cent of the theatre-going audience comprises the county’s youth. I want them to like me, back me. We are all growing up together. Sonu has done more for me than Silvat could have. The role had a commercial vibe. He dances, he is street smart, but he is also capable of taking decisions which will change the life of his friend and him. In 10 days, the film has emerged as a tableturner.

Do you feel that today, you are a bankable star?
For me, 2017 saw limited releases. So, money coming in from a movie like this changes a lot. I hope that now onwards, I am perceived as someone who can shoulder a film on his own. Log ab katrate kam hai [Industry bigwig are less hesitant to place their bet on me.] People have seen my journey. It’s finally my time. No one can ignore me. I have often been told that I have talent, but it’s difficult to invest in me. Now, I think the industry will open up to the idea of making a big budget film with me.

Have you signed a film yet?
Ab woh toh suspense hai (laughs...)

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; March 6, 2018)

Luv Ranjan is in a happy space post the success of his latest directorial venture, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS). Apart from the youth, the romcom, which stars Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha and Sunny Singh, has also resonated with family audiences. After Hrs catches up with the filmmaker on his take on relationships and his plans ahead.

Did you anticipate this kind of response for SKTKS?
I did expect a good response as we knew we were speaking a language that would connect with people. The youth has liked my movies so far. This time there was a conscious effort to get the families to come to theatres. And their reactions have been beyond my imagination.

According to you, what worked for the film?
It’s a simple story told in an entertaining way. After a long time, you see a family on screen, where the members are not merely props. The movie is high on emotions and it’s not frivolous. So, family audiences can relate to it.

You seem to be making a name for yourself with subjects that are anti-love...
I first stumbled upon the idea for my directorial debut, Pyaar Ka Punchnama. The subject worked and after some time, we made the sequel. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS) was sheer coincidence. It began with the idea of what if one’s best friend and would-be wife don’t get along? I decided to take the pro-guy stance as people expect that from me (smiles).

What is your take on love and relationships in present times and how do you translate it on screen?
I think the concept of love has become more difficult. Thanks to technology, people have a shorter attention span. Consequently, they have less patience even in relationships. I always feel films are an exaggeration of what you see around you. I take real life and exaggerate it to my liking.

Do you plan to make a sequel of SKTKS? 
Mostly, a sequel isn’t planned during the making of a film. Whether I will make it or not depends on what I do next in the course of two years. So, while there is a possibility, there are no plans yet.

Given that most of your films are from the male perspective, will we ever see you showcase the woman’s viewpoint?
Yes, I can. Akaash Vani was from the female perspective. I want to make more films like that and hopefully, I will, soon.

Have you decided your next directorial venture?
I first want to complete the film with Ajay Devgn, which I’m producing. After wrapping that up, I will start thinking about what I’ll direct next.

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; February 23, 2018)

Luv Ranjan hit it off with cinegoers with his directorial debut, Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP). Though his second film, Akaash Vani, didn’t repeat the success of his first, he bounced back with Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. As his fourth directorial venture, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS), starring Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha and Sunny Singh opens in cinemas today, the filmmaker looks back at his cinematic journey.

Luv, who began as an assistant to Suneel Darshan (on Barsaat and Dosti), realised that writing was his true calling after his third-year exams. He concedes, “My parents were supportive. I came from Ghaziabad to Mumbai to find a house and look for work. And the next day, I had a job. By God’s grace, I didn’t have to struggle.” Excerpts from a chat with the producer-director...

After the success of PKP 2, many were expecting you to continue the franchise with a third film.
I had not made the sequel immediately after PKP. I can’t keep on doing the same thing as it becomes boring. I had the idea about exploring a new relationship angle and felt it was relevant now. So, I decided to make SKTKS.

Bromance plays an important part in your films as the protagonists realise the problems of love. SKTKS revolves around the war between bromance and romance. Do you think in real life, these two aspects are always at loggerheads?
When a new person comes in the life of a girl/boy, their friends are anxious and have their own share of insecurities. Also, most people are impatient when it comes to relationships, so conflict is common. Earlier, when people got married, it was expected that the family gets time and priority. Today, ‘me time’ is relevant. Be it a man or a woman, everyone needs time and space for himself/herself. Personally, I don’t understand how old relationships become irrelevant because of a new entrant.

Were Kartik, Nushrat and Sunny the first choices for the roles?
I didn’t have a reason to not cast them. When I’ve written something, I always ask myself whether they will be able to do justice to the roles and script. Kartik has a certain naughtiness. Earlier, he and Nushrat have starred opposite each other. So, it was interesting to see them locking horns. Sunny has that real-life madness to him, and is a naive, simple guy at heart. So, he’s close to his character.

You seem to be following the trend of using recreated music in films by incorporating Yo Yo Honey Singh’s two songs in Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS).
In Hollywood films, you will notice that most of the songs are not originally created for them. Music credit is given for background score. That concept is slowly coming into movies here as well. An established composition is easier to convey as people have understood and loved it. If I want to show two people in love, I can create a new song. But when I use something that has been done before, I know people are tuned how to respond towards it. When a trend starts, it’s for a reason; it gets overdone and finally, achieves balance. Right now, we’re in the state of overdoing it.

With Pyaar Ka Punchnama and SKTKS, you seem to be becoming a director of films that are anti-love and look at the problems in relationships.
My films are about complications in love and relationships. Akaash Vani, too, dealt with the same subject but it had a serious tone, while PKP was humorous. The PKP series isn’t anti-love; people have coined the term and made it generic. It’s more about what happens on finding the wrong woman. The audience is more accepting of things when they are said in a lighter vein. SKTKS deals with a fun subject. I can’t make a serious drama on bromance v/s romance as the subject will lose its charm.

Your next venture, as a producer, stars Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh. It seems to be a break from your films so far?
Yes, it will be a break. When you cast actors like them, you know it’s not about young love, it’s a romcom. I want to be someone who makes one movie at a time or thinks in terms of being able to make them for the next 40 years. I want to tell different stories. So, it’s a conscious decision to back this kind of a film before moving on to the next phase.

Was it easy to convince Ajay Devgn to come on board?
I don’t think it has been easy. Maybe I just got lucky. I had a story and he liked it. He is a simple man and he says what he means. I’ve not seen him procrastinate on anything.

What are your future plans? Are you keen to make PKP 3 or you want to attempt different subjects?
I’m not someone who plans ahead. Right now, the film with Ajay and Tabu will keep me busy till July. As for PKP 3, I made the second one about four years after the first. So maybe, I start working on it next year. I’m a writer at heart, and I’ve several stories. I’m in no hurry and I don’t want to overburden myself. With me, it’s not the case of making hay while the sun shines.

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is written and directed by Luv Ranjan. Produced by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar and Luv Films’ Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, it releases today.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; February 23, 2018)

Kartik Aaryan has portrayed the pleasant guy next door who is troubled by his demanding girlfriend so convincingly that when you meet him, you wonder if he is terrified of girls in real life, too. However, he denies it and breaks into peals of laughter as you ask him about his role in the upcoming film, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (SKTKS). In an exclusive interview with BT, Kartik admits that he loves all the attention he is getting. Excerpts...

In SKTKS, your role is that of a guy, who doubts the intentions of his best friend’s girlfriend. Did you have any real-life reference while portraying Sonu?
I have seen that youngsters seek their best friends’ approval in almost all important decisions of their lives. In real life, I do have a friend like Sonu and I am someone’s Sonu, too. If I am dating a girl, I will seek my friend’s approval. Maybe, after you see the film, you will crave for someone like Sonu in your life. I can say that Luv Ranjan (director) is my best friend. I am lucky because it is tough to find best friends in the industry. The people here are so caught up with their daily lives that it becomes too much for someone to pick up the phone at the end of the day and ask ‘What did you do today?’

Looks like you enjoy the genre (romcom) of films that you are currently part of...
It is too early in my career to comment on the genre of films that I enjoy doing. I have done only six films so far and it has been a conscious decision to be part of movies that will appeal to the youth. I don’t want to change people’s perception about me. Very early in my career, I got known for my monologue (Pyaar Ka Punchnama) and the youngsters connected with me. I am in no hurry to change my viewers. In fact, I feel that they will grow with me.

These days, every celebrity is big on social media. While it has it perks, there are some obvious disadvantages, too. Your view?
I love social media to the extent that it doesn’t ruin my personal life. Actually, like many others, I too have been a victim of it at times. I had gone out for dinner with a lady friend, when people clicked us and posted the photos online. It’s not as bad for me as it is for the girl. I think you should give some privacy and respect to everyone.

We heard you developed six packs for just one scene in SKTKS...
I have played a regular in all my films. But one day, Luv sir startled me by saying that he wants me in a ripped look for a sequence. It was very tough. Apart from training for three hours in the gym daily, I had to go completely off sugar and consume less carbohydrates, which was even more difficult because I have a sweet tooth. After every meal, I crave for a gulab jamun or halwa. And here I was, consuming only four-five teaspoons of water a few days before shooting the sequence. However, when the final results were seen, people appreciated it.

You share a great chemistry with your SKTKS co-star, Nushrat Bharucha, with whom you have done four films...
Well, I am not the one who chooses my co-actors. Also, we have not done typical romantic films. In fact, our pairing — the scared boyfriend vs dominating girlfriend — has worked with the masses. We may share great chemistry on screen, but we do have our share of fights and bickering off it. We quarrel over small things, but at the end of the day, we are great friends. People often ask me if I am dating her, but I have not even thought about it.

Well, there is buzz about you being in a relationship with actress Fatima Sana Sheikh...
I don’t want to comment on my personal life and relationships.

After six films, do you feel that your days of struggle in the industry are finally over?
Before Pyaar Ka Punchnama (PKP), I had my share of struggles — travelling ticketless in local trains and sharing a flat with 12 other people. After PKP, I never thought that Akaash Vani would not work. And then, when Kaanchi also did not do well, it was a big blow. But you have to take these things in your stride, as box-office results are not in your hands. Finally, it was PKP 2 that changed the tide in my favour. And now, I am happy with SKTKS; it is the best film I have done.

SKTKS revolves around marriage. What is your idea of a perfect relationship and marriage?
I am a traditional guy, who believes in being in love with one person. I have seen my parents’ marriage and I want the same kind of relationship for myself. I take time to be in a relationship. I would like to know the girl well before I take any decision about her.

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, produced by T-Series, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Luv Films and Ankur Garg, releases today.

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2015)

With Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (PKP2) coming four years after PKP became a hit, Nushrat Bharucha is hoping for an encore.Though the actress wasn't keen on the first part and even refused director Luv Ranjan twice, she's glad she changed her mind. Though her second film with co-star Kartik Aaryan and the director, Akaash Vani didn't work, the bond they built during its making was reason enough for her to team up with them third time over. Excerpts from the conversation...

How does your character Chiku in the sequel differ from Neha of the first film?
Chiku isn't downright negative like Neha. The first film showed Kartik and me at loggerheads with each other. In the sequel, we are from different worlds. Neither of them is at fault here, but Chiku feels she's better off with a guy who shares her wavelength. So, the situation isn't too favourable.

This is your third film with Kartik Aaryan. How would you sum up your friendship with him?
Our second collaboration, Akaash Vani, flopped. That low made us care for each other more. When you go through a tragedy with someone, the bond is stronger. An actor is most vulnerable at the lowest point of his career.

Like Chiku watches India's cricket matches with Gogo in the film, apparently, you weren't too excited about it in real life. What happened?
Well, I thought I'd watch the match with the guy and his folks for a while and then go for a sundown party with my friends. But I was stuck because of the match. They discussed the game even during commercial breaks. Later, he did the 'punchnama' on me. Ladkiyon ke saath yeh aksar hota hai.

One hears you're curious about every aspect of filmmaking.
I love being a part of the whole journey of a film being made. I went for a mixing session as I was interested in knowing the process. Actors play a small part in all the things that go into the making of a movie. I want to know about pre-production, post-production, shot divisions; everything.

Would you do a third Punchnama?
It depends on how this one fares. If Luv justifies it and if the producers also feel the same, then we'll see.

Kartik Aaryan traces his journey from playing Rajjo to Gogo for 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2'; looks forward to doing a web-series
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 9, 2015)


When Kartik Aaryan, then known as Kartik Tiwari, first moved to Mumbai from Gwalior, he lived in an apartment in Lokhandwala, which was shared by 12 boys, all unaware that he had been secretly shooting for Luv Ranjan's Pyaar Ka Punchnama. "It was a new producer, new director and a fresh cast of six debutants. I didn't even know if the film would eventually release," recalls Kartik, who came to be known as the "monologue man" who understands "har ladke ka dard." His debut appearance as Rajjo in the original was regarded as a box-office success and was applauded by critics too. And now, he's back with a 25-page long monologue that runs for 12 minutes in the film's sequel.

"I even began to receive letters where men were asking me for relationship advise after Pyaar Ka Punchnama, and I did reply to a few. Then I realised that it was incorrect and stopped," points out the actor.

After PKP in 2011, the actor was cast again by Luv Ranjan in Akaash Vani and also bagged his first bigticket Bollywood film, directed by Subhash Ghai, titled Kaanchi. But both the films failed miserably at the box-office. "With Akaash Vani, I realised that a film's marketing and promotions are as important as the film's content. Back in 2013, I was also a shy, inexperienced boy who was often misunderstood, but now I've grown into a smart man," Kartik chuckles, adding that Kaanchi was more of a woman-centric film, and as Binda, the 'supporting man' there was only so much he contribute to the film.

Kartik, 26, will be seen as Gogo, in the sequel, and points out that unlike Rajjo, this boy is not afraid of the women in his life. "Like me he cannot be dominated by a girl. He's confident and carefree. His password is 'Dobara mat puchna' and that says a lot about him too," Kartik laughs.

He's also quite popular with the ladies. "Before I started filming Pyaar Ka Punchnama, my girlfriend dumped me. I was in college then and never looked back. Women come, women go, and I don't fall in love with them," he says matter-of-factly.

For the sequel, which is based in Delhi and filmed across Mumbai and Thailand, Kartik along with his debutant co-stars Sunny Singh and Omkar Kapoor, spent a year doing workshops. "We were roommates by the end of the film, having celebrated two birthdays each and having partied a lot together," he guffaws, adding that off-screen the boys are not discussing how horrible their female counterparts are, and are instead talking about women empowerment and how much they enjoy being dominated.

Actresses Nushrat Bharucha, Sonalli Sehgall and Ishita Sharma have been cast again, and the makers promise the film to be bolder. "The sequel was announced in 2012 itself, but there's a reason it took so long to release. It's because Luv sir has spent a year writing the story, while we've patiently waited for the laughter riot to unfold," adds the actor.

Kartik, who is referred to as a 'chocolate boy,' is keen to sign a short film and do a web-series next. He's also welcome to the idea of signing only one film a year, as long as the role is promising. "I definitely don't mind being called the chocolate boy. There's nothing wrong in being cute, is there?" he says cheekily, adding that an actor cannot only depend on his looks. "Bollywood is not that place anymore where you give a beauty shot and are ready to roll. Every director is looking for talent," he insists.