Revealed: Kartik Aaryan plays both Hero and Villain in ‘Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand’- Exclusive!

Kartik Aaryan’s upcoming fantasy entertainer 'Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand', directed by Mrigdeep Singh Lamba and slated for release on February 12, 2027, will see the actor in a challenging double role.

What makes this ambitious project even more intriguing is that Kartik will essay both the protagonist and the antagonist in the film, which is being envisioned as the first installment in a larger serpentine franchise.

Kartik Aaryan to play double role in Naagzilla

Sources close to the project reveal that the actor is putting considerable effort into creating two distinctly different looks and personalities for the characters. Kartik, who has consistently experimented with varied genres and roles over the years, is said to be approaching the duality of the characters with a completely fresh perspective.

Interestingly, the last mainstream Bollywood actor to portray both hero and villain in the same film was Shah Rukh Khan in 'Jawan'. However, Kartik is reportedly keen to ensure that his portrayal in Naagzilla remains tonally and stylistically different from SRK’s mass-action spectacle.

Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand revolves around an Ichadhari Naag — a mythical shape-shifting serpent — and blends Indian folklore with fantasy and action. Set between the mystical world of “Naag Lok” and modern-day society, the story follows the supernatural being as it confronts contemporary threats while navigating two contrasting shades of personality.

With fantasy films increasingly finding space in mainstream Hindi cinema, Naagzilla is expected to mount a visually rich universe rooted in Indian mythology and folklore. The film also marks another significant step in Kartik Aaryan’s attempt to move beyond conventional romantic and comedy roles into larger-than-life cinematic territory.