Every year, many hopefuls venture into the competitive world of the film industry, with dreams of making it big. However, only a handful manage to overcome the initial struggles and emerge as stars, living a life of luxury and recognition. One such remarkable success story is that of Kartik Aaryan, an actor whose family once grappled with debt, who has now become one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood.
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Kartik Aaryan’s rise to stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. Born into a modest family, Kartik’s early life was laden with financial challenges. However, his meteoric journey to becoming one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars started with a significant turning point – Luv Ranjan’s film “Pyaar Ka Punchnama.”
Before his breakthrough, Kartik Aaryan led what could be considered an almost double life. While he pursued an engineering degree in biotechnology from D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai, Kartik secretly nursed aspirations of becoming a film actor. His academic pursuits, however, didn’t deter him from chasing his dreams. The young aspirant would often skip college classes, enduring long, two-hour commutes to attend numerous auditions.
Kartik’s plunge into modeling during his university years was a stepping stone, but his real break didn’t come easy. For nearly three years, he faced rejection after rejection, with no substantial roles coming his way. Despite these setbacks, Kartik didn’t give up. He enrolled in an acting course at the Kreating Charakters Institute, honing his skills further.
The pivotal moment in his career arrived during his third year at university when he stumbled upon a casting call on Facebook. Kartik auditioned tirelessly for six months before landing the role of Rajat in “Pyaar Ka Punchnama.” The film’s release catapulted him into the limelight, largely thanks to his now-iconic monologue which resonated with audiences and became a cult favorite.
Despite his newfound fame, Kartik’s financial situation remained constrained. At this time, he shared a cramped apartment with 12 other aspiring actors, earning money by cooking for them. During an interview, Kartik reminisced about his early years in Mumbai, relying on small modeling gigs to make ends meet. His first paycheck from an advertisement was a modest Rs 1500, a far cry from the whopping Rs 40 crore he charges per film today.
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In 2015, Kartik reprised his role in “Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2,” directed once again by Luv Ranjan. The sequel not only retained some of the original cast but also introduced new characters played by Omkar Kapoor and Sunny Singh. Kartik’s performance in the film, including an even longer seven-minute monologue, solidified his star status in Bollywood.
Following this, Kartik’s career saw no bounds. He delivered blockbuster hits like “Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety” alongside Sunny Singh, and other notable films such as “Luka Chuppi,” “Pati Patni Aur Woh,” the comedy-horror “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,” and “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” among others.
Reflecting on his challenging early days, Kartik shared in an interview with Raj Shamani how deeply indebted his family was. “Growing up in Gwalior, we were in debt because my parents had incurred debts for their careers. We weren’t poor, but we were not rich either. We were the EMI people,” Kartik revealed. He described a life where every expense was meticulously calculated, and financial pressures were a constant concern.
The actor also recounted the difficulties of his initial years in Mumbai, reliant on an education loan and constantly borrowing money from friends. “For the longest time, I was so accustomed to borrowing money from friends, telling them that I’d return it in a few days. When I came to Mumbai, I knew that I had to earn. I was tired of borrowing money, traveling by train…”
Today, Kartik Aaryan is one of the highest-paid actors in the industry. Reports indicate that he charges Rs 40 crore per film. However, for his recent project “Chandu Champion,” where he portrays the role of Murlikant Petkar, Kartik reportedly reduced his fee to Rs 25 crore. Directed by Kabir Singh, “Chandu Champion” has recently hit theaters, showcasing another impactful performance by Kartik Aaryan.
In conclusion, Kartik Aaryan’s journey from a struggling aspirant to a Bollywood superstar is one of resilience, hard work, and unwavering determination. His story continues to inspire countless young dreamers who aspire to make it big in the world of cinema.
