4 Years of Dhamaka: Kartik Aaryan’s Boldest Leap Still Echoes

Four years since its release, Dhamaka continues to stand as a defining milestone in Kartik Aaryan’s artistic evolution. Directed by Ram Madhvani, the film marked a dramatic shift from Kartik’s familiar urban charm to an intense, morally conflicted character trapped in the high-pressure chaos of a newsroom crisis. As Arjun Pathak, Kartik stepped away from his established image and immersed himself in a world of fear, pressure, and deeply flawed humanity.

What makes Dhamaka even more remarkable is the time in which it was made. At a moment when the entire industry was struggling to stay afloat, Kartik Aaryan's Dhamaka became one of the first films to be shot and eventually released during the Covid era. Filmed in the midst of the first wave, the team operated under strict bubble conditions and completed the entire shoot in just 10 days, a feat that felt nearly impossible at the time. Reports suggest that Kartik Aaryan was paid ₹20 crore for his role in the movie. 

Kartik’s portrayal of Arjun Pathak was highly acclaimed, with critics and audiences praising the precision, restraint, and simmering intensity he brought to the role. His controlled breakdowns, sharp emotional transitions, and ability to carry an entire narrative from a confined newsroom space showcased his commitment to redefining his craft. Madhvani’s real-time storytelling and the film’s tight, immersive structure elevated Kartik’s performance even further.

Even today, Dhamaka stands as a testament to courage and creativity under constraint. Kartik’s unwavering dedication, combined with Madhvani’s meticulous vision, turned this one-night thriller into a landmark moment for OTT cinema especially when the streaming landscape was still taking shape during the pandemic.

On the work front, Kartik Aaryan is currently gearing up for this year’s big Christmas release, Sameer Vidwans’ Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, co-starring Ananya Panday.