Kartik Aaryan to Lead Dharma Productions’ Ambitious New Film, Kaaliya
Kartik Aaryan is reportedly preparing for a major new chapter in his Bollywood career. The actor is set to headline Kaaliya, a large-scale project from Dharma Productions that is expected to begin filming in December 2026. Described as a mythological creature feature, the film is being developed as one of the production house’s most ambitious projects yet.
The reported collaboration brings together Aaryan, filmmaker Sandeep Modi and producer Karan Johar. While the project remains in pre-production, early details suggest that Kaaliya will combine mythology, fantasy and spectacle—an expansive direction for an actor whose career has moved between comedy, romance, horror-comedy and more dramatic roles.
A New Big-Screen Direction for Kartik Aaryan
Aaryan has built a strong place in contemporary Bollywood through popular films including Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, the Pyaar Ka Punchnama franchise and the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series. The success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 further cemented his appeal with audiences, while his performance in Chandu Champion showed a more physically demanding and emotionally grounded side of his screen presence.
Kaaliya could build on that range by placing the actor in a world shaped by mythological ideas and fantastical creatures. Such a role may call for a different kind of performance from Aaryan, alongside the scale and visual effects associated with a major spectacle. The story itself has not yet been officially disclosed, so details about his character and the film’s setting remain unknown.
Sandeep Modi to Direct the Reported Mythological Creature Feature
The film is expected to be directed by Sandeep Modi, who has earned recognition for his work on the series The Night Manager. His involvement points to a project that may balance large-scale world-building with character-driven storytelling. However, the makers have not yet shared an official synopsis or confirmed the creative approach.
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the project also brings together three National Award-winning talents: Aaryan, Modi and Johar. Aaryan received recognition for Chandu Champion, Modi for Best Friends Forever, and Johar for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Their reported partnership adds to the anticipation surrounding the film, particularly as it marks a notable collaboration between the actor and Dharma Productions.
Dharma Productions’ Reported Biggest Project Yet
Sources quoted in the report have described Kaaliya as Dharma Productions’ biggest and most ambitious film to date. The project is said to be mounted on a substantial budget, with its mythological creature-feature concept offering scope for a richly imagined cinematic world.
Large-scale fantasy and mythology films often require extensive preparation, from creature design and visual effects to costumes, production design and location planning. With filming reportedly scheduled for December 2026, the current pre-production phase is likely to be important in shaping the film’s look and scale. No information has been announced about the supporting cast, music, shooting locations or release date.
Diwali Announcement and a Reported Ramayana Tie-In
The report also says that Kaaliya may be officially announced around Diwali, accompanied by a promotional video. That video is reportedly planned to appear alongside prints of Ramayana, giving the project an early introduction to audiences interested in Indian mythology and large-scale cinematic storytelling.
If confirmed, the announcement strategy could help position Kaaliya within the growing conversation around mythological films in Indian cinema. Pairing a first-look asset with a major release would also give viewers an early sense of the film’s tone, although the reported promotional plans have not yet been confirmed by the filmmakers.
What to Expect as the Project Develops
For now, Kaaliya remains in development, and the details available are based on industry reporting rather than a formal announcement. Audiences will be watching for confirmation from Kartik Aaryan, Karan Johar and Dharma Productions, as well as updates on the film’s cast, story and production schedule.
Still, the combination of Aaryan’s box-office popularity, Modi’s direction and Johar’s production backing makes the project one to follow. If the reported plans come to fruition, Kaaliya could give the Bollywood star a striking new role while bringing an ambitious mythological creature feature to the big screen. More concrete details are expected to emerge once the makers officially unveil the film.
