Kartik Aaryan, Jacqueline Fernandez

It’s been over six months since Kartik Aaryan confirmed being part of the remake of 2016 Kannada college campus drama Kirik Party, co-starring Jacqueline Fernandez. However, the project has seen little progress ever since. While people within the industry insist that the film, after facing numerous hurdles, is set to go on floors next month, a fresh report by Mid-Day claims that Kartik has apparently opted out of the project over creative differences.

A source in the report has been quoted as saying, “Directed by Abhishek Jain, the film was to roll last October. However, the script had to be sent back to the writing table as most people on board felt that the adaptation failed to capture the humour and charm that made the original Kannada film such a success.”

While the makers have green-signalled the reworked draft, Kartik apparently is still doubtful about the material.

“Kartik wasn’t sold on the revised screenplay. A few weeks ago, he had a meeting with the producers and expressed his doubts. Also, since he has allotted bulk dates in May to Imtiaz Ali’s Aaj Kal (reportedly the tentative title), the date clash was posing another problem. So, he decided to exit the project. The makers are currently scouting for a new lead,” the source added.

Kartik recently wrapped up the first shooting schedule of Imtiaz’s film in Delhi. At the wrap party, the actor-director duo was seen shaking a leg in a dance club. The film’s female lead Sara Ali Khan, however, gave the bash a miss.

Kartik was last seen opposite Kriti Sanon in Luka Chuppi. The romantic comedy, directed by Laxman Utekar, collected over Rs 90 crore at the box-office and was termed a super-hit by trade pundits. After Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), this is Kartik’s second box-office success in a row.