After Chandu Champion’s National Award glory, Kartik and Kabir Khan are back, and this time the “Aaryan” name is on the production credits too
MUMBAI: Kartik Aaryan is no longer just the guy in front of the camera. He is now also the guy signing the cheques.
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On Wednesday, November 4, Ananya Birla’s Birla Studios announced that Kartik’s new film Ladaku will release in theatres worldwide on June 18, 2027. The film is directed by Kabir Khan. It also marks Kartik’s debut as a producer.
What we know about ‘Ladaku’
The film is produced by Birla Studios, Kabir Khan Entertainment and Dopamine Studios, Kartik’s own production house, which he launched earlier this year. Birla Studios describes it as a story of ambition, determination and hope, drawn from extraordinary real-life events. The producers also call it another emotional, heartwarming family entertainer.
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The mystery is the real plot. Details about the story, characters and cast have not been revealed yet. Which real-life story is it? Who plays opposite Kartik? Those questions are exactly what the rumour mill will chew on for the next seven months.
Here is one reasonable guess. When Kartik launched Dopamine Studios, reports said its first production would be Kabir Khan’s untitled sports drama inspired by kickboxer Tajamul Islam. Neither the makers nor Birla Studios have confirmed that Ladaku is that film. But the timeline and the “real-life grit” description make it a strong candidate. Treat it as informed speculation until the makers say otherwise.
The Kabir Khan factor
Kabir Khan’s reputation rests on films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and 83, where ordinary people fight impossible odds and win through sheer willpower. Reports say Ladaku fits that mould.
The pair’s last outing was a hit with critics. They previously worked together on Chandu Champion. Kartik won the National Award for his portrayal of Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist. That performance changed how the industry saw him. Before, he was the king of rom-coms and Pyaar Ka Punchnama monologues. Now he is a serious actor with a trophy to prove it.
The knee injury that worried fans
Ladaku‘s shoot had a scary moment. In August, Kartik was filming an action scene on the final day of Kabir Khan’s untitled film when he was injured. Reports said he suffered a severe knee injury and would need surgery. That film was shot in Mumbai and Kashmir. Since the unnamed film was a Kabir Khan project with Kartik, many assumed it was Ladaku, though that link is not officially confirmed. A June 2027 release gives enough time for recovery and post-production.
Kartik’s packed 2027
Kartik skipped 2026 releases entirely, but 2027 looks busy.
Bollywood Hungama reported that he will have three releases in the first six months of 2027: Naagzilla, an Anurag Basu love saga, and Ladaku. Naagzilla, a fantasy film, is slated for February 2027. Anurag Basu’s untitled project is also due next year. Then there is Captain India, directed by Shimit Amin of Chak De! India fame and produced by T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar, Baweja Studios and Dopamine Studios. It is also slated for 2027 and is said to be based on Operation Raahat, India’s 2015 evacuation mission. Shimit began shooting in September and shared a handwritten thank-you note for the team, which Kartik posted on Instagram. Kartik is also reportedly set to feature in Vivek Agnihotri’s Operation Sindoor.
Dopamine Studios appears to be attached to both Ladaku and Captain India. For a banner launched only this year, that is a fast start.
How this changes things for Kartik
1. He is building a brand, not just a career. Producing gives an actor control over scripts, budgets and release timing. Stars like Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar moved in this direction years ago, and Kartik is following the same playbook.
2. The stakes are higher. As a producer, Kartik shares the financial risk. If Ladaku works, Dopamine Studios becomes a serious player. If it stumbles, the sting will be personal. The Birla Studios partnership softens this risk, since a well-funded studio is backing the film.
3. He is cementing his “serious actor” image. After Chandu Champion, picking another real-life story signals a deliberate shift away from the lightweight roles that once defined him. It is a calculated bet that audiences will keep buying tickets for his dramatic side.
The June 18 factor
A mid-June release gives Ladaku a clear summer slot. Whether competing films cluster around that date is something trade watchers will track closely. For now, Ladaku has a long runway to build buzz, with a teaser, first look and music likely to come in the months ahead.
What happens next
- February 2027: Naagzilla kicks off Kartik’s big year.
- Early 2027: Expect first-look and cast announcements for Ladaku, which should finally reveal the real-life story.
- June 18, 2027: Ladaku arrives in theatres worldwide.
The Kartik-Kabir pairing has one big advantage: audiences already trust it. If the story is as strong as the producers promise, Ladaku could be the film that turns Kartik from a star into a studio. As Bollywood loves to say, game abhi shuru hua hai, and this time Kartik owns a piece of the team.
This is a developing story and will be updated as the makers reveal more.
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