Overview

• Sam Merchant posted laughing emojis under a Viral Trollz Instagram meme that compared Kartik Aaryan’s unkempt, bearded look to a “beggar” in Anurag Basu’s untitled romantic musical.
• The meme claimed Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara had “won the game” against the yet-to-be-released Basu project after Saiyaara’s Rs150 crore opening week success.
• Online chatter linking the Basu film to Saiyaara has intensified scrutiny of Kartik’s rugged persona ahead of any official promotion.
• The project was originally announced as Aashiqui 3 with Triptii Dimri but recast Sreeleela in the lead role amid concerns over the former’s on-screen innocence.
• Although set for Diwali 2025, insiders warn the film could be delayed if the pre-release mockery fails to generate positive buzz.