Happy Birthday, Kartik Aaryan! As Kartik Aaryan turns 35 on November 22, 2025, let’s look back and commemorate one of Bollywood’s most compelling success stories.
Born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to doctor parents, Kartik’s journey from an outsider with zero industry connections to becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most bankable stars is nothing short of inspirational. His recent performances have not only shattered box office records but have also shown exceptional evolution as an actor willing to push boundaries and take risks.
Chandu Champion (2024) -The Transformation King
If any one performance epitomises Kartik Aaryan’s serious commitment to his craft, then it has to be his portrayal of Murlikant Petkar in Chandu Champion. This biographical sports drama, directed by Kabir Khan, allowed Kartik to step completely out of his comfort zone and deliver what many critics call his career-best performance.
The film narrates the inspiring story of India’s first Paralympics gold medallist, and Kartik showed unparalleled dedication to his role. He went through a remarkable physical transformation, going from 39% to 7% body fat over 14 months. This was not only for aesthetic purposes but also to genuinely portray a character who fought the greatest amount of physical and mental challenges to emerge as a winner.
Critics noted that Kartik “gets into the skin of the character and delivers a terrific performance” unlike anything he has ever done before. Mixed-to-positive reviews for the film paired Aaryan’s spirited execution along with the direction of Khan. What made this performance special was watching Kartik tackle multiple disciplines—wrestling, boxing, swimming—all while conveying the unwavering spirit of a man who refused to surrender to his circumstances.
The film also included an eight-minute single-shot war sequence, filmed at high altitude, showcasing Kartik’s physical endurance and dedication. For his performance, Kartik won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor at the 70th Filmfare Awards, making this one of the key roles of his career.
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Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
If Chandu Champion proved Kartik Aaryan range as a serious actor, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 reaffirmed his status as a mass entertainer and box office juggernaut. Having hit the screens on November 1, 2024, to coincide with Diwali, the film elicited mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and grossed over ₹423.85 crore worldwide, emerging as the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024.
What makes this all the more remarkable is the context: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 hit screens opposite Rohit Shetty’s star-studded Singham Again in one of Bollywood’s most talked-about box office clashes. Against all odds and expectations, the Anees Bazmee directorial not only held its own but eventually emerged as the winner, cementing its place as one of the biggest hits of the year.
Kartik’s performance as Rooh Baba displayed seamless comic timing, showing he is capable of carrying an entire franchise on his shoulders. The movie also boasted Vidya Balan reprising an alternate version of her iconic Manjulika from the original 2007 film alongside Madhuri Dixit, and yet Kartik held his own in front of these powerhouse performers.
Promotion for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was a masterclass in engaging with audiences, led by no other than Kartik Aaryan himself, as the cast embarked on a whirlwind tour across the country, going to no less than 12 cities. His commitment did not stop at routine appearances; hosting Children’s Day screenings reflected his real bonding with fans.
The movie turned out to be the third-biggest opener of 2024 with ₹36.60 crores on day one, emerging as Kartik’s biggest opening so far. Also, Kartik became the youngest actor to achieve ₹422 crore worldwide, owing to the immense craze he enjoys, coupled with very excellent film reception.
Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023)
Sandwiched between the high-octane physicality of Chandu Champion and the comic energy of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Kartik Aaryan delivered another fine performance in Satyaprem Ki Katha. This romantic drama had him playing against type, and he received kudos for his performance. Helmed by Sameer Vidwans and co-starring Kiara Advani, the film allowed Kartik to mine the reservoir of emotions and essay a more emotive and vulnerable character.
The film dealt with sensitive topics and mature themes, and Kartik’s acting was appreciated for its honesty and depth. That proved he wasn’t comfortable getting typecast and was actually looking forward to roles that would challenge him as an actor. This experimenting with genres and characters has been a signature of his career choices of late.
Dhamaka (2021) and Freddy (2022)
Kartik Aaryan also went against type in the thriller Dhamaka 2021 and Freddy 2022, both of which are quite removed from the kinds of romantic comedies he usually does. These films showcased his ability to tackle darker, more complex characters.
In Dhamaka, the remake of the Korean movie The Terror Live, Kartik portrayed a news anchor who must handle a hostage situation with high stakes involved. The complete film was shot in 10 days and released over Netflix. He was appreciated for bringing in intensity and gravitas into the role, thus proving he could carry a thriller on his shoulders.
Freddy took this experimentation further, with Kartik playing a dentist harboring a dark secret. He won Filmfare OTT Awards for Best Actor in a Web Original Film (Male) for his critically acclaimed performance in Freddy. These roles showed that Kartik was not afraid to take up challenges and shed his chocolate boy image to explore the grey shades of human nature.
The Foundation: Earlier Successes
While we are focusing on recent performances, the foundation that built Kartik Aaryan into the star he is today is hard to overlook. In 2018, he burst onto the scene with Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luv Ranjan’s comedy that became one of the biggest hits of the year. The film’s success, coupled with hits like Luka Chuppi and Pati Patni Aur Woh, both released in 2019, established him as a reliable box office draw.
His career kicked off with Pyaar Ka Punchnama, 2011, where the four-minute monologue of his was one of the longest single shots ever done for a Hindi film at the time. It was this viral moment that introduced audiences to his natural comic timing and ability to hold the screen.
The surprising factor about Kartik’s recent releases is that it reflects a certain evolution in his choices-from romantic comedies to intense biopics, from horror-comedies to psychological thrillers, he has never stopped challenging himself to explore new territories. Every performance revealed new facets to his talent-be it the physical transformation of Chandu Champion, the mass appeal of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, or the intensity of Satyaprem Ki Katha.
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Here’s to Kartik Aaryan—the man who never gave up, the outsider who conquered Bollywood, and the artist who keeps reinventing himself with every performance. Here’s wishing him a happy birthday and many more years of amazing cinema ahead!
