Mumbai: Kartik Aaryan will reportedly play the lead role in Vivek Agnihotri’s upcoming film ‘Operation Sindoor’, which is based on India’s military operation launched following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
According to a report by Variety India, Kartik will begin shooting for the film after wrapping up ‘Captain India’, directed by Shimit Amin.
Vivek Agnihotri and producer Bhushan Kumar announced their collaboration on ‘Operation Sindoor’ earlier this year.
The film draws its title from India’s military campaign launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.
Varun Dhawan was previously reported to be in contention for the lead role, but the latest report suggests that Kartik may take on the part. The makers have yet to officially confirm the casting.
Meanwhile, Kartik is currently working on ‘Captain India’, which is based on Operation Raahat, India’s 2015 evacuation mission during the Yemen crisis.
The two projects will see the actor feature in stories inspired by real-life events and military operations.
Kartik also has several other projects lined up, including ‘Naagzilla’, Anurag Basu’s untitled film co-starring Sreeleela, and a project with Kabir Khan.
With ‘Naagzilla’ scheduled for release in February 2027, Basu’s film expected to arrive in April, and ‘Captain India’ reportedly targeting the Independence Day weekend, Kartik could have three theatrical releases within seven months.
The actor recently won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in ‘Chandu Champion’ (2024), in which he portrayed Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist.
Following the win, Kartik shared an emotional note reflecting on his journey from Gwalior to achieving national recognition as an actor.
“Looking back affectionately with a smile at that mumma’s boy from Gwalior who dared to dream of becoming an actor from an environment, जहां लोग ऐसे सपनों पर हँसकर आगे बढ़ जाते हैं. Finally, I witnessed and lived the moment… still numb with excitement and nervousness… A dream of a small town boy… the dream of every actor in the country… The National Award for Best Actor🎖️ ‘Chandu Nahi, Champiyon hai Main’ (sic),” he wrote.
