Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan opened his session at the Red Sea Film Festival with an unusually candid reflection on his early years in the industry, admitting that he had willingly leaned into typecasting when he was starting out. Speaking during an In Conversation session at the festival, the actor said that in his initial phase, his focus was singular — to be noticed, accepted, and remembered by audiences.
Laughing as he recalled his early choices, Aaryan said, “I wanted to be typecast. I just wanted people to watch the film and love it.” His comments, originally reported by Variety, provided a rare peek into the calculated career decisions behind his rise from outsider to mainstream star.
‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ changed my perspective
Aaryan also spoke at length about the pivotal decisions that shaped his trajectory, including his hesitation before accepting Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 — a film that went on to become one of the biggest commercial successes of his career.
“These films really changed my life,” he said, reflecting on his earlier doubts. “I think I’m really fortunate that it turned out the way we were imagining it to be, and not the way I thought when the opportunity presented itself and I immediately reacted to it.”
He emphasised that many of his career-defining roles were not obvious choices at first, but trusting his team and the director often led to greater artistic and commercial rewards.
Shooting ‘Dhamaka’ in a pandemic bubble
The actor recalled the challenging environment of shooting Dhamaka during the pandemic, when lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions forced productions to rethink their methods. The film, directed by Ram Madhvani, was shot entirely in one location under strict timelines.
“It tested all of us,” Aaryan said. “But it also showed how far trust and teamwork can take you. When you work with directors you believe in, you feel ready to adapt to anything.”
He described the experience as one that strengthened his confidence and pushed him to explore more layered, intense characters.
‘That night came after seven years’
Aaryan also addressed the widely circulated perception that he became an overnight star following the success of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. The actor rejected the label, saying the meteoric rise was built on years of quiet struggle.
“That night came after seven years,” he said. “There were countless auditions, rejections and days when things did not move forward at all. It was not overnight for me.”
He added that many young actors underestimate the volume of work that precedes public recognition, and insisted that persistence is crucial for survival in the industry.
Conviction over luck: Aaryan on self-belief
When asked if he ever experienced self-doubt, Aaryan said his journey had always been powered more by conviction than luck. “That belief system has worked for me,” he said. He listed passion, patience, hard work and manifestation as the cornerstones of his approach to life and cinema.
“You have to be a go-getter. You have to work towards the dream,” he added. According to him, confidence is not about assuming success, but about staying committed to the process irrespective of challenges.
A self-made actor and a ‘proud outsider’
Describing himself as “a proud outsider,” Aaryan highlighted how he built his fanbase without industry connections or film family lineage. He stressed that every step forward was earned through consistency, auditioning, and staying relevant with the audience.
He reiterated his belief that everything begins with the script. Calling it the “most important pillar of any film,” he said that even commercial cinema must offer emotional truth and meaningful stakes to truly resonate with viewers. “Mass appeal cannot come without connection,” he noted.
Upcoming release: ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’
On the film front, Aaryan is preparing for the release of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, a romantic comedy directed by Sameer Vidwans. The film stars Ananya Panday, Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff and Tiku Talsania, and has been shot across Croatia, Rajasthan and Mumbai. The film is set to hit theatres on 25 December.
As the session wrapped up, Aaryan’s reflections offered a clearer picture of the deliberate choices, long-term perseverance, and unwavering self-belief that continue to shape his career. For audiences and aspiring actors alike, his story served both as inspiration and a realistic reminder of the grind behind the glamour.