OTTplay Awards 2022: Know Your Winners: Kartik Aaryan for Best Actor Male - Popular (Film)

Kartik Aaryan has won the OTTplay Award for Best Actor Male - Popular in a film. The actor took the trophy home for his film, Dhamaka. The movie released directly on OTT, on Netflix in 2021. A remake of the Korean film The Terror Live (2013), Dhamaka literally caused a dhamaka (explosion) on the OTT platform after its release. It remained at the top for a long time to come. The craze is such that it led up to this point – where Kartik got awarded the best actor male in popular choice for a film at the recently held OTTplay Awards and Conclave 2022.

Here's all you need to know about the actor, his movie and what he’s up to now…

About the winner

Kartik Aaryan, born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has been a well-known face ever since he made his debut into films. The actor made his first on-screen appearance in Luv Ranjan’s Pyaar Ka Punchnama in 2011 and even though he had his share of flops post the movie’s release (Akaash Vani and Kaanchi: The Unbrekable), the PKP franchise is what made Kartik famous. In his debut film, Kartik became famous mainly because of his monologue on women. The movie also re-introduced the world to the talented actor Divyenndu, who had made a brief appearance in Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film, Aaja Nachle.

Kartik returned to Pyaar Ka Punchnama for its sequel, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, which released in 2015, this time without Divyenndu. He was back in the news but it wasn’t until Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety in 2018, directed by Luv Ranjan once again, that this actor became an A-lister. The film starred Nushratt Bharuccha as the female lead (also Kartik’s love interest throughout PKP franchise films) and Sunny Singh as the male lead.

Kartik then worked with Kriti Sanon in Luka Chuppi, Ananya Panday and Bhumi Pednekar in Pati Patni Aur Woh, Sara Ali Khan in Love Aaj Kal (2020) and went solo in Dhamaka (2021). His role as Arjun Pathak created a sensation.

The actor is currently making headlines for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is among one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2022. The movie also starred Kiara Advani and Tabu in the lead roles and became one of the most-loved films of the year.

Accolades

Dhamaka received a mixed bag of reviews. The film was loved by many and Kartik as Arjun Pathak, especially, stayed back with these viewers. His expressions and the eyes that told a tale in the film, is what connected with people. Whether the scene on the bridge or where he has to depict a fall, this actor nailed every scene.

How Kartik Aaryan got into films

Kartik’s parents are both doctors. While his father is a paediatrician, his mother is a gynaecologist. He too has a degree in engineering in biotechnology. Kartik had already moved to Mumbai by then and was smitten by the acting keeda. There were times when he would skip his classes to wait for auditions. By the time he went to University, Kartik started modelling. His acting career didn’t take off immediately and he had to enrol in acting classes. While in his third year, Kartik finally told his parents about his passion, while also finally landing and working on his first film, Pyaar Ka Punchnama.

A heartfelt gratitude, straight from the winner's heart

Kartik received his OTTplay Award from filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar. His ex-girlfriend Sara Ali Khan, who was seated on the same table as him throughout the event, reportedly gave him a hug and clapped for him when Kartik won the award. “Dhamaka has been a special film for me and I want to thank (Ram) Madhvani sir because he’s very special to me. He shoots from 360 degrees – from all corners. I was so lucky to witness that and be a part of his cinema. Ram sir did a fabulous job. Thank you so much for this,” the actor said while accepting his award at the recently held OTTplay Awards and Conclave 2022.

Upcoming films/web series/project

Kartik has back-to-back projects at hand currently. Even though he’s not a part of Karan Johar’s Dostana 2 anymore, Kartik has films like Shehzada, Freddy and SatyaPrem Ki Katha in his kitty.

While Rohit Dhawan’s Shehzada features him opposite Kriti Sanon, Freddy sees him paired with Alaya F and Satyaprem Ki Katha is where Kartik collaborates with Kiara Advani after Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.

The actor recently made headlines for his statement in an interview. Kartik said that even though he has tasted success once again since Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, he fears that filmmakers might write him off if he has even one flop. He hoped that would not be the case and that someone would give him another opportunity, which probably industry insiders do get.

While Kartik has almost wrapped up Shehzada, he has recently started shooing for Satyaprem Ki Katha with Kiara. The two shared a romantic still from the sets from their first day on the film shoot.