Kartik Aaryan's Aashiqui 3 Release DELAYED Due To Saiyaara Success? Here's The Truth

Actor Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela's upcoming film, touted to be Aashiqui 3, was earlier supposed to release in theatres this Diwali, but it has now been pushed to early 2026. And if reports are to be believed, the reason for the postponement is being attributed to the humongous success of debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara.

Reports claimed that filmmaker Anurag Basu, who is helming the Kartik Aaryan-starrer, might have decided to push the film to avoid comparisons with Saiyaara. While it is not officially known if Kartik's film belongs to the Aashiqui franchise, Saiyaara is being labelled as the spiritual successor of Aashiqui 2, given that it has also been directed by Mohit Suri, like the Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor starter.

If reports are to be believed, Basu decided to rework certain scenes in Kartik's film so as to steer clear from comparisons with Saiyaara, as both of them belong to the tragic romance genre.

Anurag Basu reacts to delay reports

However, Basu has now clarified to India Today that Saiyaara is not the reason behind the postponement of his film with Kartik. He also claimed that he was aware of Suri's script for Saiyaara for a long time now, so there were so surprising similarities there.

"Given that both films feature performers as lead characters, comparisons were expected. But the two stories are entirely different," Basu said.

Revealing the real reason behind the delay, Basu then shared, "Kartik was tied up with Karan Johar’s film (Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri), and I was busy with Metro...In Dino promotions. We’ll resume shooting soon and are aiming to wrap it up at the earliest."

Saiyaara vs Kartik's Aashiqui

Saiyaara has shattered all records at the box office and has emerged to be the biggest hit for a film in the romance genre, that too despite being headlined by leads. The film has wreaked havoc in theatres with the GenZ having their very own Aashiqui 2 moment.

The audience in theatres can be seen crying their hearts out, shouting for their lost loves, and a heartbroken lover even watched the film with an IV drip inserted in the back of his palm.

Meanwhile, Kartik's film, which is yet to get an official title, would not be using the name 'Aashiqui 3', given the ongoing legal battle between Vishesh Films and T-Series for the title 'Aashiqui'. In the film, Kartik will be seen playing a heartbroken singer, similar to Ahaan in Saiyaara.