Karan Johar to collaborate with Kartik Aaryan? Filmmaker says 'We’ve been in conversation to do something'

Karan Johar and Kartik Aaryan. Pic/IFFM 2023

Karan Johar is one of the few filmmakers who has managed to work with most actors of all generations. Be it yesteryear stars like Dharmendra in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani or Gen-Z actors like Ananya Panday, he has teamed up with several celebrities in his 25-year-long career. However, his collaboration with Kartik Aaryan is yet to materialise. Karan has signed him for the sequel of Dostana in 2019. Unfortunately in 2021, due to undisclosed reasons, Kartik reportedly walked out of the film mid-way. Dostana 2 went back to the drawing room and is yet to resume.

Interestingly, at the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2023, Karan and Kartik posed for pictures wearing happy smiles. Quashing further reports of fallout, the director-actor duo addressed the possibility of doing a film together soon. At the press conference, a reporter asked Karan about the chances of collaborating with Kartik after Dostana 2 didn't work out.

Showing a ray of hope, Karan said, "We made one attempt and for various reasons, it didn't fructify. We've been in conversation to do something. I hope that does happen. In fact, that's something we both are excited for." When he was asked whether Dostana 2 will go on floors soon with Kartik, the filmmaker smiled and shared, "Ask us no secrets and we'll tell you no lies."

Dostana 2 went on floors in 2019 with Kartik, Janhvi Kapoor and Lakshya in the lead. Amid reports of Kartik walking out of the film, Dharma Productions issued a statement. It read, "Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence- we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon."

Dostana 2 was to be directed by Collin D'Cunha. It was the sequel to 2008's Dostana starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Bobby Deol, Kirron Kher, Boman Irani and others. Produced by Karan's Dharma Productions, it was a commercial success. The film dealt with homosexuality which was a rather lesser-explored topic in the Indian film industry. Dostana was directed by Tarun Mansukhani.