THE REAL DHAMAKA

FROM LIVING IN A HOSTEL TO DRIVING A LAMBORGHINI, KARTIK AARYAN’S SUCCESS STORY IS AS INSPIRING AS IT IS EXPLOSIVE

Sonali Velinker Kamat

HE RUNS his hands though his hair about as much as I blink, and I blink too much. Between his shiny, long locks and thick beard, there’s an obvious follicle fascination at play here. It prompts me to ask: Does he feel a little bit like a dog after a haircut when he shaves? It is clearly not the question Kartik Aaryan was expecting and he guffaws in response. “I’ll shave if I have to, but I definitely prefer a beard and long hair,” he laughs. I follow up with another oddball question and it sets the tone for our banter. From his recently-acquired Lamborghini to the next incredible thing on his wish list (read on for that revelation), we progress to subjects like nepotism and dreams — both literal and metaphorical.

Kartik returns each serve like a pro. We volley back and forth good-naturedly. When does confidence become overconfidence? When does self-belief become delusion? With Dhamaka debuting on Netflix last month, how does Kartik feel about Kartik? “I’m a confident guy. Maybe I come from a confident family (laughs). When I was just starting out and getting rejected in audition after audition, I used to tell myself, ‘It’s their loss.’ People can call it confidence or overconfidence, but that’s how I am. I wouldn’t have survived (in this industry) without it. Honestly, if I didn’t have this confidence, people would have said I have low self-esteem. I am happy with my self-belief; with my conviction. I make decisions based on my gut and I can’t blame anyone for my choices. The highs are mine and the lows are mine too.”

KARTIK’S MANUAL FOR ASPIRING ACTORS

MOTTO FOR LIFE

I always say: Don’t lose hope. That’s my motto for life. It is true for everyone, but especially for aspiring actors

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

People who want to act should keep on practicing. The more you practice, the more you learn. Nothing else will help you to be natural on camera

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

Join an acting school. It doesn’t need to be the best acting school in the country, but it should give you the opportunity to practice. You will find like-minded people will really help you understand this industry and improve your performance

RECOVER FROM REJECTION

I have been rejected without even being looked at. Of course that’s hard. You do wonder why you don’t even deserve a chance. I have been called ‘unfit’ so many times that I can literally make a video montage of the word. Back to back, bas yeh hi sun raha tha. Now I am able to look back and recognise that people were just doing their job. This is why you cannot lose hope. Be patient. Persevere. If you have talent, you will get your break

RECOGNISE YOUR SKILLS