After the critical success of Chandu Champion in 2024, director Kabir Khan and Kartik Aaryan are set to reunite — and this time on a much larger canvas. The pairing, praised for pushing Kartik out of his comfort zone last year, looks poised to explore a grittier, high-octane story together.
What we know so far
A reliable source told Bollywood Hungama that Kartik has agreed to headline Kabir Khan’s next film, a sports-based action drama inspired by an incredible true story. The project is being described as “hard-hitting and thrilling,” with a mix of action, drama and emotions — the kind of film Kabir likes to push with every outing.
Big-budget ambitions
The film is reportedly being planned on a mega-budget of Rs 150 crore, which would make it the most expensive movie of Kartik Aaryan’s career. Industry chatter also notes that Kartik’s upcoming film with Dharma Productions carries a similar budget, signaling a clear push to scale up his filmography.
Timeline and expectations
- Announcement: Expected next year, once details are locked.
- Kartik’s schedule: He is set to start work on Naagzilla from November 1.
- Creative outlook: Kabir reportedly feels Kartik “fits the bill to the T” for this larger-than-life true-story adaptation.
Why this matters
The reunion comes after Kabir publicly praised Kartik’s leap in Chandu Champion. Fans and trade circles are keen to see the duo build on that momentum and establish themselves as a reliably bold director-actor combination. With a sports-action true story and a hefty budget, expectations will be high for something both emotionally resonant and commercially ambitious.
More official details are awaited, but the buzz suggests this could be one of the most talked-about projects in the coming year.
