Kartik Aaryan had a career-defining moment at the Zee Cine Awards 2025, taking home not one but two prestigious honors. The actor shared his joy on X with photos of him holding both trophies, captioned: "Samajh rahe ho na!! Critics aur Popular dono jeet gaya, Rare moment in an actor's life. Critics Best Actor Leading Role – Chandu Champion, Best Actor Popular Leading Role – Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, 2024 – A year to remember. #Gratitude Thank you @ZeeCineAwards." It’s a rare feat that highlights his growing range and mass appeal.
In Chandu Champion, Kartik delivered a powerful performance as Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist. Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film showcased Kartik’s dramatic depth in a challenging biographical sports drama, earning him critical acclaim and his Critics’ Best Actor win. The role marked a turning point in his career, with audiences and critics alike praising his transformation and commitment.
On the popular front, Kartik's crowd-pleasing act in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 secured him the Best Actor Popular (Leading Role) award. Directed by Anees Bazmee, the horror-comedy continues the beloved franchise with an all-star cast including Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri. Set in Kolkata, the film blends supernatural thrills with trademark humor, and Kartik's performance further solidified his status as a box office favorite.
Looking ahead, Kartik Aaryan is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s set to star in an untitled romantic drama directed by Anurag Basu, opposite Sreeleela, and is also filming NagZilla, a high-concept action entertainer under Dharma Productions. With both critical and commercial acclaim now firmly under his belt, 2024 has indeed become a landmark year in Kartik Aaryan’s evolving journey in Indian cinema.