Director-producer-actor Karan Johar announces film with Kartik Aaryan, Ekta Kapoor to co-produce

Kartik Aaryan. Photo courtesy: IBNS File (L) and Karan Johar Instagram (R)

#KartikAaryan, #KaranJohar, #EktaKapoor, #DharmaProductions

IBNS: Years after their rumoured fallout over a film, director-producer-actor Karan Johar announced a film with Bollywood’s new heartthrob Kartik Aaryan on the occasion of the latter’s 33rd birthday on Wednesday. 

The film will be jointly produced by Karan’s Dharma Productions and Ekta Kapoor‘s Balaji Motion Pictures. It will be directed by Sandeep Modi.

In a detailed post on Instagram, Karan wrote, “Kickstarting today with some special news on a special day!! Extremely thrilled to announce @dharmamovies & @balajimotionpictures coming together for a film helmed by the exceptionally talented @sandeipm. I find myself elated to also announce the supremely talented @kartikaaryan as our lead for this story that will unfold in cinemas on 15th August, 2025!!!!

“Kartik, happy birthday to you…may our collaboration only grow from strength to strength from hereon and never cease to create magic on the big screen @ektarkapoor, being your friend is easily the best thing and now working with you will be no different!!!”

Karan and Kartik were earlier all set to collaborate for ‘Dostana 2’, a sequel to 2008 hit film ‘Dostana’, but it was shelved reportedly following a conflict on the sets.

Speaking at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Karan had said, “We made one attempt. For various reasons, that didn’t fructify. We have been in conversation to do something. I hope that does happen.”

None of the two had spoken about the reasons behind the shelving of ‘Dostana 2’.

The upcoming film will be released in theatres on August 15, 2025.