Kartik Aaryan’s evolving filmography: from rom-com charm to socially aware storytelling
Kartik Aaryan arrived in Bollywood as a fresh, relatable face for the rom-com crowd. Over the years, however, his choices have shifted. While he still delivers the charm that made him a household name, Kartik now regularly picks characters and stories that explore emotional layers and social questions. This move has changed his image from just a commercial hero to an actor willing to take risks and engage with topical themes.
From boy-next-door hits to a broader range
Early films like Pyaar Ka Punchnama and its sequel showcased Kartik’s comic timing and the frustrations of modern relationships. Big hits such as Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Luka Chuppi cemented his mass appeal. These films made him popular with young audiences and gave him the star status that opened doors to different kinds of scripts.
Choosing stories with emotional depth and social relevance
In recent years Kartik has balanced commercial entertainers with parts that dig deeper into character psychology and social issues. Instead of repeating the same formula, he has taken on roles that test his range and connect with viewers on an emotional level.
- Dhamaka (2021) — A taut thriller where the pressures of the media and moral choices become part of the story. The film let Kartik play a darker, more intense lead compared to his earlier work.
- Freddy (2022) — A pared-down psychological drama that showed him in a chilling, atypical role. The film focused on obsession and loneliness, giving Kartik a platform to explore subtle, unsettling emotions.
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) — Though bigger on entertainment, this film also allowed him to handle comic timing alongside spooky emotional beats, showing his comfort with genre blending.
- Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023) — A more mature romantic drama where personal trauma, relationships and societal pressure intersect. The film emphasized emotional honesty over clichéd romance.
- Shehzada (2023) — A commercial project with family drama and emotional stakes, showing that Kartik still values mass entertainers while adding depth to his screen personas.
Why this shift matters
Bollywood is evolving, and so are its stars. When a popular actor like Kartik chooses roles with social or emotional weight, it helps bring those themes to a wider audience. His willingness to alternate between crowd-pleasers and riskier, character-driven films signals that mainstream actors can carry movies that are both thought-provoking and entertaining.
For viewers, this means fresher stories and more nuanced portrayals. For Kartik, it’s a chance to break typecasting and grow as an actor — a move critics and a part of the audience have noticed and appreciated.
What fans can expect next
Kartik’s trajectory suggests he will continue mixing commercial films with parts that challenge him creatively. Whether it’s a hard-hitting drama, an offbeat thriller, or a family entertainer with emotional heft, his filmography today reads like a conscious effort to expand his craft while keeping his fan base engaged.
In a Bollywood landscape that rewards both box office and substance, Kartik Aaryan’s evolving choices make him one of the more interesting leading men to watch — someone who can make you laugh, think and feel, often in the same film.