Kartik Aaryan’s Captain India finds new director in Chak De! India's Shimit Amin after Hansal Mehta exit?

Summary:

• Captain India, announced in 2021 with Hansal Mehta, is now revived with Shimit Amin directing and Kartik Aaryan starring.

• Filming will run from March to July 2026 in India and Morocco, with release in 2027.

• Aaryan is also working on multiple upcoming projects, including films by Sameer Vidhwans, Anurag Basu, and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba.

In 2021, Kartik Aaryan and Hansal Mehta announced that they would be collaborating on a film titled Captain India. The unusual partnership between the actor and the filmmaker drew attention. However, the film quickly encountered several controversies and was put on the back burner with no news since 2023. Now, it seems like Captain India has finally been revived with Aaryan but not with Mehta at the helm. The film will now be directed by Shimit Amin, who returns to the director's chair after 2009.

Kartik Aaryan and Shimit Amin to collaborate

As per a report in Pinkvilla, Aaryan and Amin have reportedly been in discussions for the past year, discussing various topics in an effort to explore the possibility of a partnership, according to an insider. At that point, the actor immersed the filmmaker in the Captain India universe, captivating him with the story.

The source claims that Amin is prepared to start filming Captain India with Aaryan in the first half of 2026, having polished a tight screenplay. The source further said, "When the filmmaker narrated the story to Kartik, the actor too was bowled over by the script. The duo is planning to shoot for Captain India in India and Morocco. In fact, a team has already completed the recce in Morocco."

ALSO READ: Is Kartik Aaryan's Captain India, helmed by Hansal Mehta, pushed indefinitely?

Kartik Aaryan to play air force pilot

In Captain India, Aaryan will play a senior air force pilot. Filming is scheduled to take place from March to July of 2026 for the biopic, which is reportedly based on a true story. The release is expected in the first half of 2027.

For a while now, the project has been planned and prepared. In 2021, Hansal Mehta was revealed as the director, and Ronnie Screwvala and Harman Baweja were named producers. Claiming parallels in plot and imagery, the producer of Operation Yemen accused it of plagiarism shortly after its introduction. Conflicts in scheduling caused a subsequent postponement of production. Mehta left the project in early 2023, and before Amin joined, other filmmakers like Abhishek Kapoor were considered.

Meanwhile, Amin is the filmmaker behind hits like Ab Tak Chappan, Chak De! India, and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.

Kartik Aaryan's career shift

On the other hand, the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 has inspired Aaryan to branch out from his usual fare and work with renowned directors on new projects. Two films starring the actor are currently in production: Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri by Sameer Vidhwans and a romantic drama by Anurag Basu, the title of which is still unknown. The theatrical releases of both films are set for 2026. Mrighdeep Singh Lamba's Nagzilla would be Kartik's next project after filming for these two ends.

The actor is reportedly in talks for multiple other films, which could significantly broaden his upcoming slate.

FAQs:

Q: Who is directing Kartik Aaryan’s film Captain India?

A: Shimit Amin is directing Captain India. He took over the project after Hansal Mehta exited due to scheduling conflicts.

Q: What is the story of Captain India?

A: Captain India is based on a true story and features Kartik Aaryan as an air force pilot. The film is a biographical drama inspired by real events.

Q: Was Hansal Mehta originally involved in Captain India?

A: Yes, Hansal Mehta was initially announced as the director of Captain India, but he left the project due to other commitments.