Karan Johar drops Kartik Aaryan from 'Dostana 2,' Sharan Sharma-directorial
Dharma Productions has removed actor Kartik Aaryan from Dostana 2 and a Sharan Sharma directorial, reports said today. It's being suggested that Aaryan repeatedly canceled shooting schedules and this left the studio miffed. After allegedly keeping up with his behavior for several months, Dharma, headed by Karan Johar, has decided to never work with him. Dostana 2 also stars Janhvi Kapoor and newcomer Lakshya.
Aaryan backed out of shoot schedule multiple times
To recall, the cast for the second installment of the Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan, and John Abraham starrer was announced in June 2019. The film's schedule was adversely affected due to the coronavirus pandemic. Later, when things got better and shooting was supposed to resume, Aaryan reportedly kept backing out of shooting schedules. Johar is believed to have understood his concerns initially.
His abrupt cancellation had also affected co-star Kapoor
A source close to the development told Pinkvilla that the "sudden cancellation of shoot from his end resulted in date diary of everyone else from the cast of Dostana 2 going haywire." Johar couldn't tolerate Aaryan's tantrums anymore when the recent cancellation led to Kapoor losing out on a film. She was to shoot for Mr. Lele but had left it for Dostana 2.
Johar and Aaryan not speaking to each other, say sources
Things have gone so bitter that Johar and the actor are no longer communicating. Aaryan was also set to collaborate with Johar in an upcoming cricket drama directed by Sharan Sharma (Gunjan Saxena). He has been kicked out of that too. The team is looking out for his replacement. As far as Dostana 2 is concerned, director Collin D'Cunha will be reshooting Aaryan's portions.
Aaryan was to play a gay character in 'Dostana 2'
If things went as planned, it was reported that both Aaryan and Lakshya were going to play gay characters in Dostana 2. The first part had shown Abraham and Bachchan pretending to be homosexuals and the portrayal drew flak for being caricaturish. Johar had owned up to the criticisms and promised that the representation would be "accurate, non-caricaturish and on point" this time.
