Kartik Aaryan, with his choice of films and great acting skills, has rightfully achieved the status of the nation's crush. Be it romantic or emotional, the actor has aced it all. It also won't be wrong to say that Kartik is a favourite, not just with the audience, but with filmmakers too. After enjoying a super successful 2019 at the box-office with Luka Chuppi and Pati, Patni Aur Woh, Kartik will now be seen in not just one, but two characters in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal, co-starring Sara Ali Khan. Named Raghu and Veer, the former is a sweet lover boy who falls for Leena. With the charm of the 80s and 90s and relatability to cinema back then, Raghu is purely endearing. On the other hand, Veer is a modern guy who is slightly socially awkward. He is an idealist who believes in loving to the fullest. Talking about these diverse characters and personalities, Kartik shared his experience.
"The two roles were very distinct, in the way they look, react and relate to people around them. Veer is a modern guy, somewhat geeky and socially awkward. He is sure of what he wants and that also sets him apart from the people around him. On the other hand, Raghu represents any teenage boy who has grown up in the 90s. Both Raghu and Veer are different when in love. Raghu is dramatic and animated as he goes through the excitement and thrill of first love with his high school crush Leena, in the picturesque town of Udaipur. Veer is sure of what he feels for Zoe but too inarticulate to express it to her. Therefore understanding Raghu and Veer required not only getting into their individual character’s skin but also an understanding of the time period where their stories are set," Kartik told.
Heaping praise on Kartik, director Imtiaz said the actor has put in all his efforts and energy to portray the characters differently with due respect to their characteristics. "Veer is an idealist, a loner, a geek. He is a software programmer by profession. He is socially awkward, very clear in his mind though looking confused at all times. He reads quotations from the backs of trucks and coasters at bars and sets the principles of his life. Raghuvendra Shekhawat or Raghu lives in Udaipur in the 90s. He is extremely passionate and romantic. He is impulsive but very strong. While portraying Veer and Raghu, I did not compare one with the other. When Kartik played Veer, he was not thinking about Raghu and vice versa. There is innocence, passion and impractical idealism in both characters but in different ways, so we concentrated on one character at a time. While training we worked a lot on the body language of both the characters so that he walks, talks and behaves differently while portraying them. Kartik played both the parts with great energy and even the unit felt like they were working with two different actors while shooting with Veer or Raghu!" Imtiaz added.
Love Aaj Kal, apart from Sara and Kartik, stars Randeep Hooda and debutante Arushi Sharma. It is directed by Imtiaz and presented by Jio Studios, Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, Imtiaz Ali and Reliance Entertainment’s Window Seat Films. It is scheduled to release on February 14, 2020.
(Source: PeepingMoon/Instagram)