If you were gearing up to watch Kartik Aaryan light up the screens this Diwali with his next film directed by Anurag Basu, we’ve got news—it’s not happening. The yet-untitled film, which also stars Sreeleela, is officially delayed and won’t hit theaters until 2026. So what went wrong?
Well, as always in Bollywood, it’s complicated. And of course, the mega-success of Saiyaara might have something to do with it.
Is Saiyaara the Real Culprit?
Rumor mills were buzzing that Saiyaara, starring Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday, had plotlines eerily similar to Kartik’s film. Both revolve around the lives of rising music stars entangled in romance and ambition. And with Saiyaara killing it at the box office, no one wants to look like a copycat—especially not someone like Anurag Basu.
Reports suggest the Metro In Dinon director and his team didn’t want the two films to compete or be directly compared. So they went back to the drawing board, tweaking the script and reconsidering their release strategy. Smart move? Maybe. Safe move? Definitely.
But Wait, That’s Not All
While the similarity drama may have played a part, Basu himself has hinted at a more straightforward reason: scheduling chaos. Kartik Aaryan is juggling multiple films, including Karan Johar’s upcoming Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri (yep, that’s a mouthful). Meanwhile, Basu has been busy with his own film releases.
In a recent chat with India Today, Basu didn’t directly say, “Yes, we’re delayed,” but he pretty much confirmed it with, “We’ll soon move on to our next schedule and aim to wrap the film soon.” Translation? It’s still very much in progress.
Two Films, Two Worlds
Another question that’s doing rounds: Are these two films really that similar?
Basu cleared the air, saying he’d known about Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara for a long time. And while both stories revolve around musical talent and romance, he insists they offer very different experiences. “We knew comparisons would be drawn,” he said, “but the two films are completely different from each other.”
So fans of Kartik, don’t fret. You’re not getting a recycled plot. You’re getting an original Basu take—just a little later than planned.
Box Office Games and Strategic Delays
If you follow Bollywood closely, you know this kind of strategic delay isn’t new. Just recently, the Son of Sardaar 2 team also postponed their release date—purely for box office breathing room. So in a way, Basu’s move could be seen as savvy business sense more than panic.
It’s all about timing, right? Better to hit the screens when your story has its own spotlight.
Jay-Ho! Endnote
Sure, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Kartik Aaryan in this Anurag Basu directorial, but if the delay means a stronger, more unique story—why not? With a fresh pairing (hello, Sreeleela!) and Basu’s creative flair, this one’s still worth the wait.
And as for Saiyaara, it’s clearly set a high bar. Let’s see how Kartik and team rise to the occasion in 2026.Until then, keep the popcorn ready—and maybe rewatch Metro, Barfi!, or even Jagga Jasoos to get your Basu fix.
Stay tuned for more updates right here on Jay-Ho!
