Kartik Aaryan has reportedly taken a significant pay cut following the box office failure of his recent film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The romantic drama, which starred Ananya Panday alongside Kartik and released on Christmas 2025, failed to leave a mark at the ticket windows and was overshadowed by the massive success of Dhurandhar.
According to reports, the film managed to collect Rs 32.95 crore net in India over its lifetime run. This is a figure that fell short of expectations given its scale and festive release. In the aftermath, industry buzz suggests that Kartik chose to shoulder part of the financial setback rather than distance himself from the project.
Contrary to rumours of tension between Kartik and producer Karan Johar, sources indicate that the actor voluntarily reduced Rs 15 crore from his agreed remuneration. Bollywood Hungama quoted an industry insider stating that the decision was Kartik’s own gesture of support for the Dharma Productions-backed film, made shortly after its theatrical run concluded.
At a time when several Hindi films are struggling to draw audiences to theatres, Kartik’s move has been seen as rare and commendable. The report further adds that the actor remained fully supportive of the film and its makers despite its inability to connect with viewers. His actions have been interpreted as those of a collaborator invested in long-term professional relationships, rather than someone focused solely on individual gains.
This is not the first time Kartik has taken such a step. A few years ago, following the underperformance of Shehzada, the actor had reportedly waived a substantial portion of his fee to ease the financial burden on the producers.
On the work front, Kartik Aaryan is currently shooting for Naagzilla, which is co-produced by Karan Johar. This development further puts to rest speculation of any professional rift between the actor and the filmmaker.
Also Read: Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla Is On Track, Team Nears February Shoot Wrap
