What’s the deal with Kartik Aaryan’s ‘ousted’ stories?
Kartik Aaryan has been in the news lately, following his exit from Dostana 2 and alleged fallout with Dharma Productions over creative differences. Last week it was reported that Kartik lost out on another big project — Red Chillies’ Freddy, to be directed by Ajay Bahl, and on Monday, it was reported that he was replaced by Ayushmann Khurrana in Aanand L Rai’s next production. There have been various theories doing the rounds online on Kartik’s sudden exit from various projects since then.
On Dostana’s front, both parties maintained a dignified silence, barring a Dharma statement that said, ‘Dostana 2 will be recast due to professional circumstances’. Red Chillies chose not to comment on Freddy. However, Rai was quick to deny the story and called it ‘baseless rumors’. He clarified that they had met Kartik for a different film and are still in talks. In a statement, he said, “We have taken another film to Ayushmann and this is a complete mix-up.”
About the recent turn of events, an industry insider told Bombay Times, “Kartik parted ways with Red Chillies’ Freddy in January. Things didn’t work out. There was no bad blood. That film hasn’t taken off yet and the makers themselves wanted changes in the script and director Ajay Bahl was clear that he won’t make any.
No one has been signed for it, so Kartik saying no to being cast alongside Katrina Kaif is bizarre. Why are these stories coming out now?” While the production house hasn’t commented yet, a source clarified, “Yes, Kartik has returned the money and the production house has no issues with him. The film will take off this year with Bahl, but they haven’t cast anyone yet.”
As far as Rai is concerned, the insider adds, “He had narrated a different story to Kartik, which he wasn’t excited about. It’s common for directors to pitch multiple stories to actors and then brainstorm on what they want to make. Nothing concrete happened in that meeting. The story offered to Ayushmann was totally different, so there is no question of Kartik being replaced.”
Kartik’s upcoming line-up has Ram Madhvani’s Dhamaka, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 with Anees Bazmee, Hansal Mehta’s next, and Sajid Nadiadwala’s upcoming love story.
