Vikrant Massey in Karan Johar's Dostana 2 after Kartik Aaryan's exit: Report

After much speculation and a long wait, Karan Johar’s 'Dostana 2' is back in the spotlight with a new lead actor. The much-anticipated sequel to the 2008 hit 'Dostana' has faced delays and controversy, especially following the reported fallout between Dharma Productions and actor Kartik Aaryan. Now, fresh reports suggest that Vikrant Massey has stepped in to headline the project.

According to a report by Pinkvilla, Massey will be joining actor Lakshya in the film, which is said to also feature a debutant female actor in the lead. While an official announcement is still awaited, the report states that the makers are aiming to begin shooting in January 2026, with a theatrical release slated for the end of the same year.

A source close to the development told the news portal, "Dostana 2 has been in development at Dharma for a while, and the makers have cracked a perfect script that can carry the franchise forward in a progressive manner. Dostana 2 will feature Vikrant Massey with Lakshya, and will mark the launchpad of a debutant as the female lead. The makers are aiming to



take the film on floors in January 2026, and release it at the end of next year."

The film, currently in the planning stages, is expected to be directed by a filmmaker who will be finalised in the coming weeks. “Dostana 2 is being conceptualised as a theatrical film, with music, comedy, romance, and drama. Talks are on with the filmmakers, and a director will be locked in a fortnight," the source added.

The original casting of 'Dostana 2' included Kartik Aaryan and Janhvi Kapoor. However, in 2021, Dharma Productions confirmed that they would be “recasting” the film after Kartik’s departure. The actor later addressed the issue in 2024, revealing his side of the story, but the production house remained tight-lipped about the details.

Meanwhile, both actors have moved on to other projects. Kartik Aaryan will next be seen in Anurag Basu’s untitled film and Karan Johar’s 'Nagzilla'. Vikrant Massey, on the other hand, is having a busy run, currently working on the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar biopic and 'Don 3', which are expected to wrap by the end of 2025.