It won't be wrong to say Kartik Aaryan is amongst the most talented stars of the current generation in Bollywood. The actor, with a perfect blend of good looks and natural acting skills, has rightfully become the crush of the nation and has wowed the audience with his choice of films. Kartik, after struggling for years to make a mark for himself, is now one of the stars with whom filmmakers are excited to work with. An engineer who turned to become an actor, Kartik is currently flooded with an interesting range of projects and has been giving his competitors a run for their money. Having spent nearly eight years in the film industry, the Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety star, during an interview with a human interest page named Humans Of Bombay, narrated his journey to stardom. 

Kartik, born to parents belonging to the medical field, was in plans to become an engineer. But destiny had something else written for him as after watching Shah Rukh Khan's-Kajol's-Shilpa Shetty's Baazigar in his ninth standard, the 29-year-old was left inspired to pursue acting. In order to do so, he took admission at a Mumbai based engineering college and would travel from Navi Mumbai to Andheri for auditions. Staying in a rental flat with 12 boys, Kartik made his portfolio by cropping college pictures due to financial constraints. After struggling for 2 and a half years, Kartik bagged  Pyaar Ka Punchama, which made him famous amongst college students. Narrating the incident where he was appearing for an exam, a bunch of students were busy clicking selfies with him. Adding that despite the fame, offers were relatively dry post the film too. With Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, the tables turned. A relatively unknown actor went on to become the heartthrob of the nation. Kartik, further adding, revealed that during his recent visit to Gwalior, his hometown, he was called back to school but as a chief guest. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I was born in the small town of Gwalior. My parents were in the medical field & I was going to do engineering. But in 9th grade, I saw Baazigar & I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the screen. I was unsure of my parents’ reaction—so I decided to study till 12th in Gwalior & then go to college in Mumbai. Luckily I got into a college in Navi Mumbai. I stayed in a hostel & searched for auditions. I had no contacts, so I’d type keywords like, ‘Actor Needed’ on Facebook. I’d travel for 6 hours 3-4 times a week for auditions. At times, I’d be rejected from outside the studio because I didn’t ‘look the part’. But I still had hope. Soon I got projects like a few seconds in an ad & they kept me going. Eventually I rented a flat in Andheri with 12 boys. I had limited finances. I couldn’t even afford a portfolio—I’d crop my face out of group photos to send to agents! All the while I’d skip college to give auditions & my parents didn’t know about any of this. Once I saw an ad for a film audition & decided to go for it. They liked me & auditioned me many times. My final audition script was the monologue that then became my identity! Finally, when I got the role, I was at Andheri station & immediately called my mom! She couldn’t believe it! After 2 & a half years of struggle, what I had imagined as a possibility, was now a reality. After Pyaar Ka Punchama, there still weren’t many opportunities. I stayed in the same flat with 12 boys till my third film! At the time, my mom was adamant I finish my degree, so while shooting, I gave my exams—& people in the exam hall were clicking photos with me! But I understood that she wanted my future to be secure. After Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, it all changed! Life has come full circle now—recently when I was in Gwalior, I was invited to my school as chief guest & kids were chanting my name! It was surreal! But what I have today, would’ve never come my way, if I hadn’t believed that I’d make it. I’m grateful for where I am & I know I have a long way to go. Sometimes all of it still feels unbelievable—from this point on, the possibilities just seem endless & my dreams, are just waiting to come true.”

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on Dec 2, 2019 at 4:54am PST

Recommended Read: Watch! Deepika Padukone leaves Kartik Aaryan 'Dheeme Dheeme' behind as the two convert airport into a dance floor, break into a flash dance

Workwise, Kartik is gearing up for the release of Pati, Patni Aur Woh, co-starring Ananya Panday and Bhumi Pednekar. The film is directed by Mudassar Aziz and produced by Juno Chopra, T-Series and B.R Films. It is scheduled to release on December 6, 2019. Apart from that, he will star Love Aaj Kal's sequel with Sara Ali Khan and also in Dostana 2 with Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya. Kartik will feature in the lead role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 with Kiara Advani and Tabu.

(Source: Humans Of Bombay Instagram)