Last updated on February 15th, 2025 at 06:42 pm

Actor Kartik Aaryan has opened up about his complex relationship with filmmaker Karan Johar. Their professional connection has been under the spotlight since Kartik’s reported exit from the film Dostana 2 back in 2021. Recently, Kartik described their bond as a “love-hate relationship,” hinting that things are not as smooth as they seem.
The duo’s first collaboration was supposed to be Dostana 2, but Kartik’s exit from the project caused quite a stir in the industry. Rumors swirled around, speculating about the reasons behind the fallout. However, Kartik has finally shed some light on their dynamic, stating that there’s a mix of emotions between them.
Speaking at a recent event in Mumbai, Kartik referred to a moment captured in a photo taken just before they started working on Dostana 2. In the picture, Karan is seen pulling Kartik by the ear, which Kartik described as perfectly representing their bond. “Ispe kya bolu? (What do I say to this?) I think yeh love and hate relationship hai… Bahut ache yeh photo represent karti hai (I think this is a love and hate relationship. This photo represents that very well),” Kartik shared.
Kartik explained that the picture was taken at a moment when the two were about to sign their first-ever film together. He said, “Yeh moment tab ka hai jab hum logo ne pehli film, jo humari honi thi kabhi, voh sign ki thi. Toh tab ka moment hai. I think he knew ki main… photo pehle se le li thi (This was the moment when our first film, which was going to happen, was signed. This was then. I think he knew that I… so he took the picture beforehand).”
Their fallout from Dostana 2 became a hot topic back in 2021, with many wondering why Kartik had been replaced. Neither party ever confirmed the exact reason behind the split, but Kartik’s recent comments seem to hint at an ongoing mix of emotions.
Despite the past, Kartik is now excited to work with Karan once again. The two have come together for a new project titled Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. Kartik’s excitement was visible when he confirmed the news at the event, calling the new film a “romantic comedy.”
Fans were eager to hear Kartik’s take on his relationship with Karan, and it seems like the actor is willing to move forward. Despite the rocky past, it appears there’s still room for collaboration. Kartik’s comments suggest that while there may be disagreements or misunderstandings between them, their professional ties are still intact.
The upcoming film, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, is scheduled to hit theaters in 2026. Both Kartik and Karan Johar have expressed their enthusiasm about working together again. Kartik’s candid talk about their relationship suggests that while things may not always be smooth, there’s a willingness to work together for the sake of creativity.
Fans will be keeping a close eye on how this relationship evolves, especially with a new film in the pipeline. Kartik’s openness about his mixed feelings towards Karan Johar is refreshing, offering a glimpse into the complexities of relationships in Bollywood.
In the meantime, fans will eagerly await the release of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri to see if any sparks fly between Kartik and Karan, both on and off-screen.