In 2021, Captain India was announced with Kartik Aaryan as its face and Hansal Mehta at the helm. But for the next five years, no progress was in sight. Delayed? Shelved? Just as the industry was wondering what happened to Aaryan’s film, there is news. mid-day has learnt that the aviation drama will finally go on floors this summer.

“The makers are eyeing the window between May and July for filming,” said an insider.

With Mehta no longer attached to Captain India, Shimit Amin of Chak De India (2007) fame took over the project. Recently, there were murmurs that he too had exited the film.

But a source close to the production said, “The delays caused these rumours. But the film is on track and Shimit is helming it. Kartik is shooting for another T-Series film, after which he will start this.”

The biggest surprise or ‘dhamaka’ of 2021 has been Kartik Aaryan as Arjun Pathak. The actor wrapped up this year with a bang with Dhamaka, his superhit release. The movie has become a favourite among his fans and critics alike. And after having impressed the audience with this whole new genre, Aaryan promises to deliver even more varied and surprising roles in the coming year.

When Ram (Madhvani, director) sir put his faith in me and gave me this author-backed role of Arjun Pathak, I instantly knew I would put in my blood, sweat, tears and anything that the role demanded to make it happen. It was a conscious decision to step into a different arena, but also a risk that paid off. I was overwhelmed with the love the film received, be it from the audience or critics. The praise and love for my role gave me a huge sense of validation as an actor. Dhamaka’s success has also given me the confidence to explore things outside of my comfort zone and push the envelope. Also, it was my debut on OTT and it has been such a dhamakedaar one that it has made 2021 extra special.

I feel blessed and my heart swells with gratitude that, as an outsider with no connections to the industry, I am now topping big filmmakers’ wish list. I’ve dreamt of being an actor for as long as I can remember, and now I’ve reached a position where I can actually choose the kind of films I’d like to do. And once an actor reaches that stage, one has to double up their hard work. So, today when I see my forthcoming films, be it Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Shehzada, Freddy, Captain India or Sajid (Nadiadwala, filmmaker) sir’s love story, they all belong to different genres, and this makes my journey exciting.

The year 2021 has treated me well. I am safe, healthy and so are my family and loved ones. It has also been a great year professionally, one of risks and rewards. Dhamaka changed the perspective of filmmakers towards me. I hope 2022 is just as kind and rewarding. I can’t wait for audiences and my fans to see me take on different roles, and I hope to have their continued support and love.

Yes, that is something I started thinking about more recently, once I had that opportunity to really choose my projects. I want to expand my boundaries as an actor. I want to play many characters and live different lives. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the kind of roles I have already done, but even in those spaces, I would like to try and do things differently. I think it is very important to reinvent and move with the times. That, to me, is a mark of a great actor.

I think the #KartikPurnima trend really surprised me — fans dedicating a day to you, expressing their love, sharing videos, performing rituals. Even the one fan who kept a fast for me was something that I never expected fans would do. I feel so eternally grateful. Another interesting incident was when a fan showed me a tattoo she got for me — a permanent inking of my name and birth date. Such small gestures by my fans really make me happy and make me think that all my hard work is worth it, as I receive so much love.

It has been a packed few months for Kartik Aaryan. The actor completed Shashanka Ghosh’s Freddy in a start to finish schedule while juggling the final leg of Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Rumours are rife that the Punchnama actor is set to kick off prep for Hansal Mehta’s Captain India next.

While physical training for the film is a must, a  source informs, “The film requires rigorous prep and research [to establish] the complex back stories of the characters. Kartik will take a few days off to promote his Netflix film Dhamaka in the interim, which is said to release close to Diwali.” 

Captain India is rumoured to be based on Operation Raahat, when the Indian Armed Forces under the leadership of General Vijay Kumar Singh evacuated 4,800 Indians and 2,000 foreign nationals from the clutches of Al-Qaeda terrorist, Nasir Al-Wuhayshi during the Yemeni Crisis in 2015. “Mehta hopes to take the project to floors this month and finish it by the year end. The actor’s dates are being worked out currently,” adds the source.