It all began in 2021, while the much-anticipated Dostana 2 was hyped to be another blockbuster from Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Announced with Kartik Aaryan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Laksh Lalwani playing the lead roles, fans were eagerly awaiting updates on the film’s release date. However, it was not to be. In a shocking turn of events, the production house announced that the star cast would be reconsidered, leading to speculation of a fallout between Karan and Kartik. The statement about recasting for Dostana 2 was shared by Dharma Productions on April 16, 2021. It read, “Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain dignified silence – we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D’Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon (sic).” It was reported that Kartik walked out of the film due to creative differences. The Shehzada actor, who is gearing up for the release of Chandu Champion, recently addressed the rumours without divulging much about his alleged “fallout” with Karan and the said campaign against him being run in Bollywood.
pic.twitter.com/NaohVGnjvp
— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) April 16, 2021
“Dekhiye, woh boht purani baat ho gayi. Kai bar bahut miscommunication hota hai aur kai bar bahot cheezein out of proportion bhi chali jati hai aur sepcifically jab voh likha jata hai to voh sound kuch aur karta hai.”( This news is quite stale now. Many a time, there is miscommunication or something is blown out of proportion especially when something is written and it sounds completely different),” Kartik told The Lallantop.
ALSO READ Sameera Reddy reveals she was pressured by the industry to get a boob job, was told: ‘Sab log kar rahe hain, aap kyun nahin?’
Kartik, who has been tight-lipped about him being dropped from the film’s sequel and his rift with Karan, said he only wants to focus on his work. “Main tab bhi silent tha and ab bhi silent hoon un baaton pe. Main bas 100 pratishat kam karta huin, lekin jab bhi aise koi khabar aati hai ya koi controversy aa jati hai to main apne shell mein rehta huin, main shant rehta huin. Main un cheezon mein zyada ghusta hoon, aur naa kuch prove karne se mujhe kuch milta hai.” (I was silent when the news came about and I choose to stay silent even now. I am 100% focused on my work and when controversies of such nature happen, I stay calm about them. I don’t get involved a lot in them and I don’t have to prove anything to anyone by getting involved).
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood)
Despite the speculation surrounding the Sonu Ke Tittu Ki Sweety actor’s exit from Dostana 2, the actor has maintained a level-headed approach, keeping his focus squarely on his work. “I just focus on my work,” Kartik stated in an interview with The Indian Express, choosing to steer clear of the controversy. “What happens, at times, is people make baat ka batangad (make a mountain out of a molehill). There is nothing more to it. No one has so much time. Everybody just wants to work, and do good work. Other than that, things are just rumours.”
ALSO READ Kartik Aaryan reveals he sacrificed Shehzada acting fee amid debate on rising entourage costs: ‘No one writes this about stars’
Speaking at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023, Karan, on the other hand, praised the actor’s contribution to cinema, saying, “Kartik’s films have deeply resonated with the country and have always brought so much fervour back to the cinema halls. More power to him. May his contribution to cinema always continue. Well done, Kartik.”
According to a report published in India Today, Karan and Kartik have collaborated on a new project. It will be directed by Sandeep Modi. The untitled film will release in theatres on August 15, 2025.
In an earlier interview with The Lallantop, when Janhvi was asked why Dostana 2 was not being made anymore, she shared, “I don’t know really. We had even shot for that film for about 30 to 35 days. The shoot was going very well, according to me. I don’t know why the film was shelved honestly. Of course, I tried asking also, but I guess (it was because) we began shooting for that film long before Covid. And then Covid happened and essentially there was a one-and-a-half years delay. Then people felt that to restart the film… I don’t know.”
Click for more updates and latest Bollywood news along with Entertainment updates. Also get latest news and top headlines from India and around the world at The Indian Express.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
