The controversy began when Prashant Narayanan appeared on a podcast with Bollywood Bubble. When asked about the current crop of A-list stars, Narayanan singled out Kartik Aaryan, calling him “one of the most terrible actors” currently working in the industry.
Narayanan attributed Aaryan’s massive success more to fortune than craft, stating “I think he is an extremely lucky person. He is only surviving because of his parents’ blessings. I feel that he is an extremely non-communicative and boosted by people around him kind of person.”
While he did acknowledge that he liked Kartik’s performance in his debut film, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, he expressed deep disappointment with the actor’s recent choices, including Chandu Champion and the recently released Tu Meri Main Tera.
Is the Audience “Laughing At” Him?
One of the most stinging parts of the interview was Narayanan’s take on Kartik’s box-office pull. When the host pointed out that Kartik has helped revive theaters with hits like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Narayanan offered a harsh perspective.
He suggested that ticket sales don’t always equal artistic appreciation. He noted that there is a significant difference between “laughing with” an actor and “laughing at” them, implying that Indian audiences might be doing the latter.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Industry Insiders
The comments have polarized social media. On platforms like Reddit and X, the reaction has been split The Critics: Some users agreed with Narayanan, claiming that Kartik’s acting has become “repetitive” and “fake.” Critics pointed to the climax of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 as an example of a lack of effort.
The Supporters: Fans of the “Rooh Baba” star were quick to defend him, citing his physical transformation for Chandu Champion—a role for which director Kabir Khan claimed Kartik deserved a National Award.
Despite the criticism, Kartik Aaryan remains one of the busiest actors in Mumbai. He is currently filming the supernatural thriller Naagzilla in Delhi and has several high-profile projects in the pipeline.
As of now, Kartik has not officially responded to Prashant Narayanan’s remarks, maintaining his usual “silent worker” persona. However, this public call-out from a respected veteran ensures that the spotlight on his future performances will be brighter—and more critical—than ever. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
