Reports that Kartik Aaryan's upcoming film Naagzilla was facing delays can be put to rest, as the actor is on track to wrap up shooting by the end of February. This comes as welcome news for fans eager to see Aaryan in the role of a shape-shifting serpent in this creature-comedy directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba of Fukrey fame.
The film, backed by Dharma Productions in collaboration with Mahaveer Jain Films, is slated for release on August 14, 2026, coinciding with the Independence Day weekend. Naagzilla marks Aaryan's reunion with Karan Johar after their previous collaboration on Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, which is set to release on February 13, 2026.
Aaryan himself announced the commencement of Naagzilla's shooting on November 1, 2025, sharing a picture from the puja ceremony on social media. The post also commemorated the one-year anniversary of his horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. He revealed the release date, writing, “1 Year of #BhoolBhulaiyaa3. Day 1 of #Naagzilla. Har Har Mahadev. 14th August 2026”. In Naagzilla, Aaryan is set to play the character Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, an Ichadaari Naag.
Naagzilla is envisioned as the first chapter in a high-concept creature comedy trilogy, blending ancient serpentine legends with modern-day chaos. The synopsis on IMDb describes the film as a saga where "a mystical being emerges from Naag Lok to confront an unprecedented threat".
While the film relies heavily on visual effects, the production team is committed to delivering a polished final product. A source close to the project stated, “The makers of Naagzilla and lead actor Kartik Aaryan are very clear that they don't want to rush through the process”.
With Naagzilla, Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films are beginning a long-term partnership focused on delivering high-concept entertainers. In addition to Naagzilla, Aaryan is also juggling Anurag Basu's upcoming directorial, a romance musical drama co-starring Sreeleela. He is described as a thorough professional who has meticulously planned his dates for both projects.
Further details about the female lead in Naagzilla are still under wraps, with sources hinting at a surprise reveal. The film is produced by Karan Johar, Mahaveer Jain, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, and Sujit Jain. Cinematography is by Amalendu Chaudhary.
