Kartik Aaryan has gone from bro-mantic to romantic in two years

Kartik Aaryan appears to be tackling Monday blues better than most people, as he saunters into 'Love Aaj Kal' director Imtiaz Ali’s Lokhandwala office. Settling down with coffee in one hand and a cookie in another, the actor points out that he was a “bro-mantic” actor (with Luv Ranjan’s 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' series and 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety') who turns romantic for the first time with Imtiaz’s next. “I’m fortunate to have started my career with Luv Ranjan sir. I’ve also worked with Laxman Utekar and Mudassar Aziz. It’s been a journey of learning different things from different people,” he shares, adding, “Imtiaz sir is a special filmmaker; he changed my thought process as an actor.”

Imtiaz’s last outing, the SRK and Anushka Sharma-starrer 'Jab Harry Met Sejal', tanked at the boxoffice. When asked if that made him do a double take before signing 'Love Aaj Kal', Kartik said that the thought never crossed his mind. “He doesn’t make films for the box-office. As a long-time Imtiaz fan, I want to work with him again and again. He is a passionate story-teller and devoid of filters,” the actor asserts.

The duo’s Valentine’s Day release is set in two eras 1990 and 2020 with Kartik playing Raghu and Veer respectively. To prep for the ’90s turn, he watched films like 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' and 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. “In fact, my introduction scene is set to Salman Khan sir’s song from 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. I also revisited a lot of Shah Rukh Khan sir’s films,” Kartik reveals.

To get the physicality right, the actor underwent body language training. “The challenge was to break the off-camera rhythm of my body. We worked on everything, from the way Raghu blinks, to the way he smiles, talks and walks,” he said.

Calling it a significant film in his career, Kartik said, “This is the first time that I am exploring an intense character. It shows versatility. I’m a romantic at heart, so the journey towards bagging a film like this was great.” Buzz is, he and Imtiaz are in talks for another film that pairs him with Deepika Padukone. “That’s something you should ask him,” Kartik smiles. Next up, there’s the sequel to Akshay Kumar’s 2007 horror-comedy, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa'. Kartik confirms that he will resume work on it by the month-end. “It’s a new film for me. No one can fill those Akshay’s shoes. I hope to live up to expectations,” he adds.

The success of 'Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety' (2018), changed the course of Kartik’s career. He followed it up with 'Luka Chuppi' and 'Pati Patni Aur Woh', which made him a bankable actor. “Hopefully, it will continue with 'Love Aaj Kal',” he smiles, adding, “I wanted an opportunity to showcase my talent and it was after Sonu that I started getting scripts to choose from. Now, producers are confident that I can carry a film on my shoulders. I believe I am on the right path and I am choosing scripts that the audience wants to see.”

He goes on to reveal that till last year, he wasn’t in a position to choose scripts. “I was giving auditions even after the success of 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2'. I wouldn’t even find out who was the director I was auditioning for. After 'Sonu' and 'Luka Chuppi', I have started getting a lot of offers. I believe, there is still some time to evolve,” he avers, adding that now, he wants to do an action film, a thriller and play a negative role.