Varun Singh (DNA; July 11, 2019)

Kartik Aaryan has bought a new flat in Versova. What makes the purchase more special is the fact that it’s the same house that he lived in as a paying guest when he moved to Mumbai from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Reportedly, he lived in this apartment during his struggling days and even shared it with a few other guys. According to documents accessed by this newspaper, the Luka Chuppi star has paid Rs 1.60 crore for the pad in Rajkiran Co-op Housing Society on Yari Road. The flat’s carpet area is 459 sqft (total 551 sqft) and it’s on the fifth floor of the building.

Kartik signed the deal for his new property in the second half of May, and paid Rs 9.60 lakh as stamp duty for its registration. The documents also have his mother Mala Tiwari’s name and mention his hometown Gwalior as their address. We contacted Kartik’s team for his confirmation but there was no response till the time of going to press. 

OTHER B-TOWNERS WHO ALSO BOUGHT FLATS RECENTLY
Recently, actress Tamannaah Bhatia also bought a house in Versova. She was in the news for apparently paying Rs 80,778 per sqft, which is more than twice the locality’s ongoing rate of Rs 35,000-45,000 per sqft.

Earlier this year, Alia Bhatt also purchased a house in Juhu, measuring 2,300 sqft, for which she paid Rs 13.11 crore.

In the same locality, Vivek Oberoi became the owner of a bungalow worth Rs 14.25 crore, which is also more than the ongoing rate of Rs 10.59 crore. The built-up area of the couple’s abode is 234.20 square metre, while the carpet area is 2,100 sqft. Vivek tendered Rs 85.50 lakh to register his bungalow with the registration department.

Deepali Singh (DNA; May 12, 2019)

It’s Kartik Aaryan’s mother, Mala Tiwari, who answers the door when we arrive at his cosy Juhu residence on a hot Friday afternoon. She immediately ushers us inside and offers us a choice of cold or room-temperature water, before responding herself, “Saada hi laati hoon, itni garmi se aaye ho.”

So, when the actor tells us that he had been missing his mom and his entire family all the time that he stayed alone in Mumbai, you can see why he must have missed the warm, fuzzy feeling of coming home to loved ones.

Now that the Luka Chuppi actor is well settled in the city, he’s brought his kin down from Gwalior to stay with him. “I had a dream that we would all live together once again. Now, after almost seven-eight years of staying here alone, I asked them to join me. In a way, this is my dream house because my parents and sister are here with me,” he states. When Kartik aka Koki — as his mom lovingly calls him — and she settle down for a chat, the former tells us that this time, they will celebrate Mother’s Day together after many years.

Excerpts from a chat with the Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety star and his ‘very photogenic’ maa…

Would you say you are a mamma’s boy?
Kartik: I have always been a mamma’s boy. I have been sharing everything with her since childhood and I still do. The only secret I kept from her and the family for more than three years was my dream of becoming an actor because I didn’t know if anyone would believe me or what it would lead to.
Mala: It’s true, he tells me everything. He even discusses his girlfriends with me.

How does it feel to see your son’s success?
Kartik: Mummy toh tareef hi karengi meri!
Mala: (Laughs) Nothing like that. But yes, it’s an extremely proud and happy feeling. However, there is also a fear because the career he has chosen is so full of insecurities. He has to prove himself each Friday. Here, even if you go really high up, you can go down as quickly as that. So, I just tell him to be prepared.

Back in Gwalior, how did you celebrate Mother’s Day or other occasions?  
Kartik: We had a fixed restaurant where we used to go for any celebrations. We would sit at the same table, and order the same food, from the same waiter who never had a haircut in his life! We haven’t been able to celebrate that way for the past couple of years.
Mala: Even here, we will probably do that. Order dal makhani, some paneer dish, boondi raita and naan!

Is there any gift he has given you that you cherish a lot?  
Mala: He had given me his first cheque of Rs 2,500, which he had got for doing an ad. Later, when he was signed for a film, he gave me that cheque for Rs 11,000 as well. Then some years ago, he had come to Gwalior and he got gifts for the entire family. He had gifted me a ring at that time. I cherish that a lot and I liked the fact that he thought of bringing something for each one of us. You can expect that from the girls, lekin bete itna nahin karte. So, that’s precious.

Kartik, what about you? Any advice of hers that you take seriously?
Kartik: Advice toh chalti hi rehti hai (laughs) — especially lifestyle-related. If I’m on a diet, she’s always telling me to eat more. She won’t understand that I might need to look lean for a particular role. She had a fight with my trainer once because he insisted I don’t eat carbs. So, the driver would suddenly offer me a chocolate or there would be dishes kept in front of me that she knows I would find difficult to resist. She keeps doing things like that (smiles). She is happy as long as I eat properly and sleep on time. Then, of course, she wants me to stay grounded and I assure her I will.
Mala: I tell him that the advice we give you will always be correct. An outsider can lie to you but we, as a family, will always have your best interests at heart.

As a mother, what has been your proudest moment? 
Mala: There are so many. But the one I remember the most is when he had come to Gwalior for a shoot. There were so many people who had come to see him. The entire city had posters welcoming him and calling him ‘Son of Gwalior’. He was barely able to step out of his trailer because there were so many people outside calling out his name. He was even invited to his school, St Paul’s, as the chief guest. When he arrived, the school band started playing and there were flowers on the path all the way to the stage.
Kartik: There was so much warmth and positivity around. There was a sense of belonging. The crowd was unbelievable.
Mala: Earlier, we used to be called to the parent-teacher meetings to be scolded for some mischief he had done. This time, the principal called me to invite him to the school as a chief guest. I told him that I’m really happy! (Smiles). That was such a proud feeling.

Have things changed ever since your family moved to Mumbai to stay with you? 
Kartik: No, not really. I have never been a party person. I don’t smoke or drink either...

So, your mom hasn’t got a chance to scold you?
Kartik: Ha ha! Nahin, bahut mauke milte hain. Even if I try, I end up coming home late at times. But having them here keeps me grounded. I had always wanted the family to be together again, celebrating occasions. We will celebrate Mother’s Day today and order for the same dishes, without looking at the menu (laughs)!

Eight years on, Kartik Aaryan is finally savouring success, being choosy and enjoying all the trappings of stardom. He is no longer just Sonu, the monologue boy
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 17, 2019)

A beaming Kartik Aaryan welcomes us to his new Juhu flat on Valentine's Day. Touted as the next big thing, Kartik has been garnering ample female adulation since the release of the sleeper hit, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, last year. His mother (Mala Tiwari) narrates a funny story to us about how she gets random phone calls from people calling in to check if Aaryan is available for marriage. As we laugh it off over an elaborate spread of aloo parathas and lassi, the actor muses about the ephemeral nature of showbiz. "That's exactly how it's designed. Movies, and only movies, stay back as legacy. Everything else is a bubble," he says. Over the next hour, we chat about his sudden stardom, making it without a godfather, the fine art of turning down offers and his love life.

What has changed after the success of Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety?
My entire life. People know who I am. Before the film, they knew me by face but not my name. I am no longer just catering to the youth. Now, taijis, chachis and mummies know me. For the first time in eight years, I have the option of choosing from a variety of scripts. I no longer need to pick up just about anything that comes my way. The options are better than before. I strived to become a priority for filmmakers, rather than an option. Sonu... made it possible.

Were there days during your struggle when you've just picked up anything to make money?
Money was never a priority. Not back then, not now. I haven't really worked for money. I am passionate about movies, good roles and scripts. I am choosing scripts keeping in mind a good mix of content and commercial cinema. I am a diehard massy movie buff. I want to be seen as a hero of the masses who headlines big potboilers.

Have you been able to drop the tag of being the monologue boy?
I still am and enjoy being labelled for it. It gave me credibility. People ask me to recite the monologue often, but now they have discovered more to me. During promotions, I realise what works for me is that I am relatable, yet aspirational. I have struggled hard for long to make it this far, and I can see that admiration and respect in people for me. The monologues are stuff cults are made off. They remain viral for years. It's my iconic scene, which I will be remembered for, and not many actors get, or are even able to crack, such momentous scenes on screen in their first film.

It's been eight years since Pyaar Ka Punchnama. Has it taken far too long to reach here?
It has been a rough and weary journey. I can't quantify my struggle. I didn't become an overnight star even when my debut film became a cult movie. After such a major hit, I was still struggling to get a proper film with a meaty role. I wouldn't get parts where I had anything challenging to do. I have seen ups and downs and the struggle continues even today. It has only gotten bigger. But I am proud of myself. My journey from a small town like Gwalior to becoming a movie star is surreal and overwhelming. Now, by virtue of this struggle, I have expectations of myself and I wake up each day to live up to them. I have to be bigger than Sonu or the monologue boy.

How did you tackle the first bout of stardom?
It is a tricky situation as the industry creates a bubble. Love poured, brand endorsements came my way and fans increased manifold. I had to remind myself of the time when I was considered unfit for those very commercials. I can't get swayed by the adulation because I have seen the other side of life as well. I love my craft. I am grateful for fans, but I am not here to post selfies on Instagram. I was offered Rs 10 crore for a film post Sonu, but I just didn't see myself in it, so turned it down. I don't need money right now. I am no longer in a place where I desperately need money to survive. Now, money and glamour are by-products of what I do. I have enough awareness to know I can't get carried away because this is replaceable. I have seen duds on Fridays, so I am enjoying the love while it lasts. The industry is a gamble. You never know which Friday makes anyone a superstar and then there are chances that a masterpiece doesn't work.

How hard was it to turn down roles and what were the repercussions?
It's an art to learn to say no. When someone offers you a role, and you say no, it's mostly taken as an offence. No one looks at it objectively and thinks, may be, I could have spoilt their film by being a misfit. I have learnt this the hard way that there are ways of turning down offers. And, I have craved to get a single movie offer. I never thought I would come to this point where I have to plot ways to say no without getting into people's bad books. I am aware of the pros and cons now.

All your films so far have been comedies. Don't you want to experiment more?
I don't want to be drastic. I want to explore more in comedy too. My next, Luka Chuppi, is different from my previous movies. It is a comedy of errors. My character, Guddu, is innocent and loveable. I am on the look out for anti-hero parts and thrillers.

Are you doing the sequel of Love Aaj Kal (2009) with Sara Ali Khan?
Imtiaz Sir [Ali, director] has been my favourite filmmaker. Yeh jo baatein chal rahi hai, kaash sach ho jayein. I want to work with him.

You have been papped with a mystery woman. Who is she?
I started getting papped after Sonu... I don't like to talk about my personal life. I don't think it's fair to the person I am seeing. But at the same time, it is not that I will not step out for fear of being papped.

So you are seeing someone?
Yaar, time kahan hai? I am single as work is primary at the moment. When I am in a relationship, people will know.

What about rumours of you and Ananya Panday?
Two spottings and we are dating? She's a friend, a colleague. We are working on Pati Patni Aur Woh together. We gel well. There's nothing more to it.