Kartik Aaryan — Bollywood's self-made star — went from secretly skipping engineering lectures in Navi Mumbai to becoming one of Hindi cinema's most bankable leading men. Born Kartik Tiwari in Gwalior to two doctors who expected him to become an engineer, he spent three years chasing auditions and broke through with a viral monologue in Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011). Today, with blockbusters like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, plus a Filmfare Award and a National Film Award for Chandu Champion, he ranks among the most bankable young stars of Hindi cinema, alongside the likes of Ranveer Singh.
Here is the complete biography: his age, family, career, net worth, and what's next in 2026.
Kartik Aaryan Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kartik Aaryan (born Kartik Tiwari) |
| Known As | Kartik, Koki |
| Born | 22 November 1990, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh |
| Age | 35 years (turning 36 on 22 November 2026) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2011 – Present |
| Father | Manish Tiwari (paediatrician) |
| Mother | Mala Tiwari (gynaecologist) |
| Sister | Kritika Tiwari (doctor) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm approx.) |
| Education | St. Paul's School, Gwalior; B.Tech Biotechnology, D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai |
| Debut Film | Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011) |
| Awards | Filmfare Award for Best Actor; National Film Award for Best Actor (both for Chandu Champion) |
| Pet | Dog named Katori |
| Estimated Net Worth | Unverified media estimates range ₹120–₹250 crore (see below) |
Early Life and Education
Born on 22 November 1990 as Kartik Tiwari in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Kartik Aaryan grew up in a middle-class family of doctors. His father, Manish Tiwari, is a practising paediatrician and his mother, Mala Tiwari, is a practising gynaecologist — both in Gwalior. His younger sister, Kritika Tiwari, also became a doctor, continuing the family's medical tradition.
He studied at St. Paul's School, Gwalior, and at 18 moved to Navi Mumbai for a B.Tech in Biotechnology at D.Y. Patil College of Engineering — secretly harbouring ambitions of becoming a movie actor. He would skip classes and travel for hours to attend auditions, finding casting calls by typing phrases like "Actor Needed" into Facebook. After three years of unsuccessful auditions, he enrolled in an acting course at the Kreating Charakters Institute, and informed his parents of his decision only after signing his first film.
Career: The Long Struggle (2011–2017)
Kartik made his acting debut while still in his third year of college with Luv Ranjan's buddy comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), co-starring Nushrat Bharucha. He had found the casting call on Facebook and secured the role after auditioning for six months. His character's four-minute monologue — one of the longest single shots in Hindi cinema at the time — became a viral sensation, and the sleeper hit earned him a Producers Guild Film Award nomination for Best Male Debut.
But overnight fame did not mean instant stardom. With limited financial means, he lived in an apartment with 12 other aspiring actors and earned money by cooking for them. His next films — Akaash Vani (2013) and Kaanchi: The Unbreakable (2014) — failed at the box office, and he bounced back only with Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015).
Breakthrough and Stardom (2018–2019)
Kartik's breakthrough finally arrived with Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2018), a massive commercial success that marked his entry into the 100-crore club and established him as a mainstream star. He followed it with the hit romantic comedies Luka Chuppi (2019) and Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019), cementing his image as the poster boy of urban rom-coms.
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa Era and Critical Acclaim (2021–Present)
Determined to break out of his comic image, Kartik delivered intense performances in the Netflix thriller Dhamaka (2021) and Freddy (2022). Then came the post-pandemic blockbuster Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) — one of the biggest Bollywood hits of the year — which turned him into a genuine franchise star.
His career reached its biggest milestone with Chandu Champion (2024), directed by Kabir Khan. Playing Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medallist, Kartik underwent a dramatic physical transformation and delivered the most acclaimed performance of his career — winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He closed 2024 with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and also featured in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list. A detailed account of his filmography and honours is available in his biography on Wikipedia.
Family
Kartik Aaryan is unmarried and famously private about his personal life. His parents, Manish and Mala Tiwari, remain in Gwalior, where both continue their medical practice. His younger sister Kritika Tiwari is a doctor. His mother has appeared alongside him on television, sharing stories from his college days of secretly bunking lectures to attend auditions. Media reports have linked him with co-stars in the past, but he has never confirmed any relationship. At home in Mumbai, his constant companion is his pet dog, Katori.
Kartik Aaryan Net Worth (2026)
Kartik Aaryan's net worth has never been officially disclosed, and published estimates vary widely — from roughly ₹120–₹140 crore in some 2026 reports to about ₹250 crore (per Koimoi, citing a Zee News report), with older estimates landing around ₹50–₹60 crore. These are unverified media estimates, not audited figures — no official figure exists, so treat every number online with caution.
What is certain is the scale of his earning power: he reportedly charges ₹40–₹50 crore per film and ₹3–₹5 crore per brand endorsement campaign, representing major brands like Cadbury Silk, McDonald's, boAt and Armani Exchange. His assets reportedly include a ₹17.5-crore apartment in Juhu, Mumbai, an office bought in 2025 for over ₹13 crore, and a car collection featuring a Lamborghini Urus and a McLaren GT gifted by T-Series' Bhushan Kumar after Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.
Latest News & Upcoming Projects (2026)
Kartik Aaryan's upcoming slate is one of the busiest in Bollywood:
- Kaaliya — reported in October 2026 as Karan Johar's "most ambitious film" for Dharma Productions, directed by Sandeep Modi (The Night Manager). A big-budget mytho creature feature, it is expected to get a grand announcement alongside Ramayana and go on floors in December 2026.
- Anurag Basu's untitled musical romance — co-starring Sreeleela in her Hindi debut, with music by Pritam. After nearly two years in production, the makers announced a theatrical release date of 30 April 2027.
- Naagzilla — a creature comedy directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (Fukrey), with Kartik as Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, an ichhadhaari naag. Postponed from August 2026, it is now locked for 12 February 2027.
- Captain India — Hansal Mehta's aviation rescue drama, expected to go on floors soon, with a Kabir Khan project and a reported Imtiaz Ali reunion also in development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kartik Aaryan's age in 2026?
He was born on 22 November 1990 — 35 years old (turning 36 in November 2026).
Who are Kartik Aaryan's parents?
His father Manish Tiwari is a paediatrician and his mother Mala Tiwari is a gynaecologist — both doctors practising in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Is Kartik Aaryan married?
No. Kartik Aaryan is unmarried and keeps his personal life private; media reports have linked him with co-stars in the past, but he has never confirmed any relationship.
Why did Kartik Aaryan change his name?
He was born Kartik Tiwari and was credited under that name in Pyaar Ka Punchnama. He later changed his screen name to Kartik Aaryan simply because, in his words, it "sounded better".
What is Kartik Aaryan's net worth in 2026?
No official figure exists. Unverified media estimates range widely, roughly from ₹120 crore to ₹250 crore, built from film fees, brand endorsements and property.
What was Kartik Aaryan's debut movie?
Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), Luv Ranjan's buddy comedy — his viral four-minute monologue in the film made him an overnight sensation.
Which awards has Kartik Aaryan won?
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, both for Chandu Champion (2024).
What are Kartik Aaryan's upcoming movies?
Kaaliya (Dharma Productions), Anurag Basu's untitled film with Sreeleela (30 April 2027), Naagzilla (12 February 2027) and Captain India.
Final Thoughts
From a middle-class Gwalior household of doctors to the National Film Award stage, Kartik Aaryan's journey is Bollywood's favourite kind of story — the outsider who refused to leave. Fifteen years after a viral monologue announced his arrival, he has blockbusters, a franchise, and the country's top acting honours to his name, with his most ambitious slate — Kaaliya, Naagzilla and the Anurag Basu musical — still ahead.
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026) — another National Film Award winner who turned an outsider's struggle into superstardom.
