Kartik Aaryan: From Gwalior to Bollywood Stardom

Kartik Aaryan, born as Kartik Tiwari on 22 November 1990, hails from Gwalior, a historical city in Madhya Pradesh, India. He was born into a middle-class Brahmin family; both his parents are doctors—his father, Manish Tiwari, is a pediatrician, and his mother, Mala Tiwari, is a gynecologist. Kartik has a younger sister, Kittu, who is also a doctor.

Real Name	Kartik Tiwari
Nickname(s)	Koki, Guddu
Profession(s)	Actor, Model
Famous For	Monologues in Pyaar Ka Punchnama series
Date of Birth	22 November 1990
Age	32 years (as of 2023)
Birthplace	Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Zodiac Sign	Scorpio
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Height	6′ 0″ (183 cm)
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Hair Colour	Black
Education	B.Tech in Biotechnology
Alma Mater	D. Y. Patil College, Navi Mumbai
Debut Film	Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011)
Parents	Manish Tiwari (Father), Mala Tiwari (Mother)
Siblings	Kittu (Younger Sister)
Marital Status	Unmarried
Hobbies	Playing Video Games, Photography, Writing
Pet	Katori (Dog)

Early Life and Education

Growing up, Kartik attended St. Paul’s School and later Kiddy’s School in Gwalior. From a young age, he aspired to become an actor. His passion for cinema was influenced by watching films of Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar. Despite his interest in acting, he pursued a degree in Biotechnology from D. Y. Patil College in Navi Mumbai, primarily to appease his parents, who valued education highly.

While studying, Kartik secretly nurtured his acting dreams. He would travel for hours to attend auditions, often without his parents’ knowledge. To manage expenses, he lived in a flat with 12 other aspiring actors in Mumbai’s Lokhandwala area. Financial constraints meant he couldn’t afford professional portfolio photos; instead, he cropped himself out of group pictures to submit for auditions.

Struggle and Breakthrough

Kartik’s journey in the film industry was fraught with challenges. Without any connections, he relied on online platforms and social media to find auditions. His break came when director Luv Ranjan spotted him on Facebook. Impressed by his potential, Ranjan cast him in the lead role of Rajat (Rajjo) in the 2011 romantic comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama.

The film explored the romantic relationships of three bachelors and became a sleeper hit, especially among the youth. Kartik’s performance, particularly his memorable 5.29-minute monologue criticizing modern relationships, gained him significant attention and became a cultural phenomenon. Despite its modest budget and cast of newcomers, the film established Kartik as a promising actor in Bollywood.

Career Highlights

He continued his success with Luka Chuppi (2019), opposite Kriti Sanon, which dealt with live-in relationships in small-town India. That same year, he appeared in Pati Patni Aur Woh, a remake of the 1978 film, showcasing his versatility by balancing comedy and drama.

In 2020, Kartik starred in Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal alongside Sara Ali Khan. While the film received mixed reviews, his performance was noted for its depth and maturity.

Amidst the pandemic, Kartik explored digital platforms with Dhamaka (2021), a thriller where he played a news anchor covering a terrorist attack. The film showcased his ability to delve into intense and complex characters.

In 2022, he headlined Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, a horror-comedy sequel to the 2007 film. The movie was a massive success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year and earning him critical acclaim.

As of 2023, Kartik continues to take on diverse roles with films like Freddy, Shehzada, and Satyaprem Ki Katha. His upcoming projects include Chandu Champion (2024), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024), Aashiqui 3 (2025), and Captain India (2025), indicating a promising trajectory in his career.

Personal Life

Kartik Aaryan is known for keeping his personal life private. He shares a close bond with his family and often credits them for his grounded nature. Despite his fame, he continues to involve his parents in managing his finances, with his mother overseeing his expenses to keep him humble.

Over the years, Kartik has been linked romantically with co-stars like Nushrat Bharucha, Sara Ali Khan, and Ananya Panday. However, he has maintained discretion about his relationships, focusing the public’s attention on his professional endeavors.

An avid animal lover, Kartik owns a pet dog named Katori, who frequently appears in his social media posts. He enjoys hobbies such as playing video games, photography, writing, and watching sports like football and table tennis.

Philanthropy

While Kartik doesn’t often publicize his philanthropic efforts, he actively participates in charitable activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to relief funds and utilized his social media platforms to spread awareness about health protocols. He supported initiatives encouraging people to stay home and stay safe, producing engaging content to reach a broader audience.

Kartik is also associated with animal welfare organizations. In 2018, he was named PETA India’s Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity, reflecting his commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle and advocacy for animal rights.

Controversies

Kartik has largely avoided major controversies throughout his career. However, in 2021, he made headlines when he was dropped from Karan Johar’s production Dostana 2 due to alleged “creative differences.” The incident sparked discussions about professional dynamics in Bollywood, but Kartik chose not to comment publicly, and both parties moved forward amicably.

Another controversy arose with the release of Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019), where a dialogue about marital rape led to public backlash. The filmmakers promptly responded by removing the contentious line from the film, and Kartik apologized for unintentionally hurting sentiments.

Social Media Presence

Kartik Aaryan boasts a significant social media following, with millions of fans on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Known for his engaging and humorous content, he often shares glimpses of his personal life, behind-the-scenes moments, and interacts with fans.

During the lockdown, his series “Koki Poochega” on YouTube featured interviews with COVID-19 frontline workers and survivors, aiming to spread awareness and positivity. His relatable posts and down-to-earth personality have endeared him to audiences, enhancing his popularity beyond the silver screen.

Lesser-Known Facts

• Initial Struggle: Before his acting debut, Kartik lived with 12 roommates in Mumbai due to financial constraints.
• Secret Aspirations: He kept his acting ambitions hidden from his family until he was cast in his first film.
• Educational Commitment: Despite starting his acting career, he completed his engineering degree, fulfilling his commitment to education.
• Monologue King: His lengthy monologues in the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series are among the longest in Indian cinema and have become his trademark.
• Fitness Dedication: For his role in Akaash Vani, he consumed 25 eggs a day to build muscle mass, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
• Animal Advocacy: Kartik is an advocate for animal rights and often promotes pet adoption.
• Fan of Shah Rukh Khan: He idolizes Shah Rukh Khan and draws inspiration from his journey as an outsider making it big in Bollywood.
• Social Media Discovery: He was discovered by his first director, Luv Ranjan, through Facebook.
• Avoiding Typecasting: Kartik aims to diversify his roles to avoid being pigeonholed into a particular genre.
• Family-Oriented: Despite his fame, he remains close to his family, involving them in his personal and professional decisions.