When Kartik Aaryan Recalled His Struggling Phase: "I Didn`t Have Enough Money For A Portfolio"

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NOVEMBER 22,2023

Ever since his first release, Kartik Aaryan has been the talk of the town. While he became a director's favorite overnight, his journey to becoming an actor was filled with struggles and endless knocks on doors at every audition. The actor turns a year older today.

From being an outsider to becoming a popular actor to snatching Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 from Akshay Kumar, can you believe if we told you Kartik Aaryan didn't even have enough money to get his portfolio shoot done?

This story dates back to his struggling days when Kartik had no name in Bollywood. His initial days were filled with struggle, with no one to handhold and zero contacts in the film industry. In an interview with Humans of Bombay, the Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor opened up about his journey to stardom.

When Kartik Aaryan opened up about his struggle story

Kartik's journey to becoming an actor was filled with skepticism - how his parents would react, whether or not he would get his first break, whom to contact for auditions, and a lot more. But he was determined and never gave up.

Hailing from Gwalior, Kartik moved to Mumbai in around 2010 to set his dream in motion. He was pursuing engineering back then.


"Luckily, I got into a college in Navi Mumbai. I stayed in a hostel and searched for auditions. I had no contacts, so I'd type keywords like 'Actor Needed' on Facebook. I'd travel for 6 hours, 3 to 4 times a week, for auditions. At times, I'd be rejected from outside the studio because I didn't 'look the part'. But I still had hope," said the actor.

After all these attempts, he managed to get smaller roles in ads but couldn't make much money.

"I had limited finances. I couldn't even afford a portfolio - I'd crop my face out of group photos to send to agents! All the while, I'd skip college to give auditions, and my parents didn't know about any of this," Kartik Aaryan recalled.

Also Read: Karan Johar Announces A Special Film With Kartik Aaryan On His Birthday

Further recalling how he got his first role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, he added, "Once I saw an ad for a film audition and decided to go for it, They liked me and auditioned me many times. My final audition script was the monologue that then became my identity."

Kartik Aaryan on how he shared a flat with 12 boys

Despite his first film, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, being a commercial hit, Kartik Aaryan continued to stay in a small flat. He shared the same with 12 other roommates.


"I stayed in the same flat with 12 boys till my third film! At the time, my mom was adamant I finish my degree, so while shooting, I gave my examsmdashand people in the exam hall were clicking photos with me! But I understood that she wanted my future to be secure," he added.

Also Read: Kartik Aaryan Reacts On Sara Ali Khan And Ananya Panday Speaking About Him On KWK 8

On the work front, Kartik was last seen in Satyaprem Ki Katha alongside Kiara Advani. On his birthday, Karan Johar announced another film with the actor, hinting at ending their controversial feud.

Radio City wishes Kartik Aaryan a very happy birthday.

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