Exclusive | Kartik Aaryan on Paresh Rawal confirming his name for Hera Pheri 3 and pressure on Shehzada

When asked if was surprised that Paresh Rawal announced his name for Hera Pheri 3 , Kartik told indianexpress.com, “I am still surprised! That’s it.”

The actor is currently gearing up for the release of his latest romantic thriller Freddy. The Shashanka Ghosh directorial, co-starring Alaya F, will stream on Disney+Hotstar on December 2.

This will be his second film of the year after the blockbuster success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Kartik said the horror-comedy has empowered him and the “energy” is reflected in Freddy and his February 2023 theatrical release Shehzada.

“It gives it all the more energy. Shehzada is getting more empowered because of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Freddy is getting more empowered because of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’s success. Contrary to the pressure or the nervousness, I am getting more energy.”

Kartik said Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’s glorious box office run has cemented the “conviction” people had in him and hopes it continues with Shehzada.

“Audiences and the industry can see the conviction with which I am working. They can see it. Even with a Shehzada they are seeing me for the first time in an action avatar. There is that conviction, self-confidence or belief… You need a different level of conviction to do all that.  The way the year has gone for me, it only fuels it, empowers me,” he added.

Shehzada, directed by Rohit Dhawan, is the official remake of the 2020 musical blockbuster, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The Allu Arjun starrer was a blockbuster, becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time.