The entertainment industry is buzzing after Sam Merchant, rumored to be dating actress Triptii Dimri, seemingly took a dig at Kartik Aaryan's look from his upcoming film with Anurag Basu. This comes amidst the widespread success of the film Saiyaara, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative.
The controversy began when an Instagram meme page, Viral Trollz, shared a collage of Kartik Aaryan sporting a rugged, heavily bearded look from his upcoming movie. The meme took a jab at the actor, suggesting he was busy creating hype with a "beggar-like" appearance while Saiyaara quietly stole the show. The post's caption read, "Bechara (Poor thing)".
Sam Merchant couldn't resist reacting to the post, dropping a series of grinning face emojis in the comments. This seemingly innocuous gesture quickly caught the attention of fans and media outlets, who interpreted it as a subtle jab at Kartik Aaryan.
The rumored connection between Triptii Dimri, Sam Merchant, and Kartik Aaryan adds fuel to the fire. Dimri and Aaryan shared screen space in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Moreover, Dimri was initially cast as the female lead in Aaryan's upcoming film with Anurag Basu, which is now slated for release in 2026 but was later replaced by Sreeleela. Reports suggest that Dimri's rising fame and "exposed" image after her role in Animal led to the casting change, as the filmmakers sought a more innocent and pure demeanour for the female lead.
Adding another layer to the situation, Aaryan's film with Basu, initially believed to be Aashiqui 3, is now facing comparisons with Saiyaara. Some fans have even called both films "spiritual successors" to the Aashiqui series. The success of Saiyaara, which revolves around a rising music star and a doomed love story, has led to speculation that Aaryan's film, which shares similar themes, might face delays or require creative adjustments to avoid direct comparisons. However, Anurag Basu has denied that Saiyaara's success is the reason for the delay, citing scheduling conflicts with his and Kartik Aaryan's other projects. Basu is also currently working on Metro...In Dino.
Industry experts and insiders have weighed in on the situation, with some suggesting that the success of Saiyaara has heightened interest in upcoming love stories, including Aaryan's film with Basu. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh believes that the fresh pairing of Kartik and Sreeleela adds further intrigue to the project. However, others maintain that there is no direct correlation between the two films and that Aaryan's film will be judged on its own merit.
The online reaction to Sam Merchant's emoji response has been mixed, with some users calling it "harsh but true," while others believe people are reading too much into the situation. Some speculate that Merchant's reaction stems from Dimri's alleged mistreatment or replacement in Aaryan's film.
Regardless of the motives behind Merchant's reaction, the incident has undoubtedly stirred up industry conversations and fueled speculation about possible tensions between the parties involved. As Kartik Aaryan remains silent and Triptii Dimri avoids the spotlight, the industry watches on, eager to see how these dynamics play out in the coming months. Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan's other upcoming projects include Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri, directed by Sameer Vidwans, and the fantasy comedy Nagzilla, directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba.
