Kartik Aaryan Reflects on the Underperformance of Shehzada and Shares Insights on His Role as Producer
Kartik Aaryan, one of Bollywood’s rising stars, recently opened up about the underwhelming performance of his film Shehzada and provided a glimpse into the challenges the movie faced even before its release. Shehzada, a Hindi remake of the popular Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, was expected to do well at the box office, especially given Kartik’s growing fan base and the success of the original film starring Allu Arjun. However, the film fell short of expectations, and Kartik has now shed light on the reasons behind its struggles.
In an interview with Pinkvilla, Kartik candidly admitted that the production team was dealing with issues long before Shehzada hit the screens. “For Shehzada, which didn’t work, we were facing a crisis from before its release,” he revealed. While he didn’t go into detail about the nature of the crisis, his statement indicates that external factors may have contributed to the film’s poor performance, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The Story Behind Kartik Aaryan’s Producer Credits
One of the more intriguing aspects of Shehzada was Kartik Aaryan’s involvement as a producer. This move surprised many, as the actor had not taken on a producer role in previous projects. During the same interaction, Kartik explained how he came to be credited as a producer for the film. “They were gracious enough to give me producer credits. I didn’t want to take it, but I invested in a few things during the making, so they gave me producer credits,” he shared.
Kartik’s decision to step into the producer’s shoes was not just a financial move but also a personal one. “I just wanted to save my film, selfishly. I try to safeguard my movies in all ways possible,” he added. His involvement in the film’s production shows his commitment to ensuring the success of his projects and his willingness to take on additional responsibilities to support his films. By investing his own resources, Kartik demonstrated a level of ownership and dedication that goes beyond his role as an actor.
Insights Into Bollywood’s Business Dynamics
Kartik also touched upon the financial side of the Indian film industry, offering insights into how remuneration and budgeting work in Bollywood. He explained that the business side of filmmaking operates on a system of calculations, where every decision is carefully planned to ensure profitability. “Everything has a calculation. It’s a business module. If things are sitting in the calculation, then it’s correct,” he said.
However, he noted that not everyone in the industry fully understands the financial intricacies involved in producing a film. “Since people are not doing these calculations, these debates are happening. The calculations are going off, and thus most people are not happy and, in fact, angry,” he remarked. Kartik’s comments point to a larger issue within the industry, where mismanagement of expectations and finances can lead to frustrations among producers, actors, and other stakeholders.
Despite these challenges, Kartik made it clear that he strives to maintain a good relationship with his producers. “I hope my producers stay happy and I don’t make them angry in any way. I think my calculator works well,” he added humorously, indicating that he takes the financial side of his career seriously while maintaining a lighthearted approach to his decisions.
Balancing Art and Commerce
While Kartik acknowledged the importance of financial success, he also admitted that he has signed films for monetary gain in the past. Without naming any specific projects, he confessed, “I too have signed films for monetary gain.” This candid admission reflects the reality of the film industry, where actors often have to balance their artistic choices with financial considerations. However, Kartik’s growing popularity and his string of successful films suggest that he has found a way to strike this balance effectively.
Kartik’s career trajectory has seen him evolve from a promising newcomer to one of Bollywood’s most beloved actors. His recent projects, including the highly successful Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, have cemented his status as a bankable star. Now, with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 in the works, Kartik is gearing up for another major release. The upcoming film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Vidya Balan, Triptii Dimri, Madhuri Dixit, Rajpal Yadav, and others in key roles, promising yet another entertaining performance from the actor.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback with Shehzada, Kartik Aaryan remains optimistic about his future in Bollywood. His willingness to take ownership of his projects, both as an actor and a producer, demonstrates his dedication to his craft. As he continues to navigate the ups and downs of the film industry, Kartik’s candid reflections on the challenges he faced with Shehzada offer a glimpse into the complexities of filmmaking and the realities behind the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.
With a busy schedule ahead and a string of high-profile projects in the pipeline, Kartik Aaryan is sure to keep audiences engaged. His ability to learn from past experiences while staying focused on future successes suggests that the actor-producer will continue to be a prominent figure in the industry for years to come.