Kartik Aaryan's Dharma film 'Naagzilla' announced; Fans say, 'Mouni Roy male version'

Kartik Aaryan is set to surprise fans with a never-seen-before avatar in Karan Johar’s newly announced fantasy-comedy Naagzilla. Taking a bold turn from typical Dharma films, Naagzilla brings mythology, comedy, and some wild imagination to the big screen. The film is all set to hit cinemas on August 14, 2026, coinciding with Naag Panchami, and is already creating a buzz on social media.

The motion poster shared by Karan Johar features a shirtless Kartik Aaryan standing in a cave full of snakes, overlooking a modern city. Wearing just blue jeans, his character sports scales and a snake-like skin, giving a hint of the epic adventure that lies ahead. The caption read, “Insanon wali picharein toh bahut dekh li, ab dekho naagon wali pichchar!” setting the tone for this wild ride.

Fans were quick to react, with many comparing Kartik’s look to the iconic snake-themed TV characters from Ekta Kapoor’s Naagin. Comments like “Male version of Mouni Roy” and “The Ektafication of Dharma!” flooded the post, drawing parallels to the supernatural drama that dominated Indian TV for years.

Titled Naagzilla, the film will see Kartik Aaryan play Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, a shape-shifting ichchadhari naag embarking on a mission packed with comedy and chaos. The movie is directed by Fukrey fame Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and written by Gautam Mehra. This marks Kartik's second collaboration with Dharma Productions, following the upcoming Valentine’s Day release Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri.

Backed by a powerhouse team including Karan Johar, Mahaveer Jain, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Sujit Jain, Naagzilla also signifies the start of a new partnership between Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films.

Interestingly, the film is expected to clash at the box office with Bhediya 2, starring Varun Dhawan, promising an epic face-off of fantasy creatures.

With a quirky concept, big names, and social media already in a frenzy, Naagzilla is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about films of 2026. Whether it turns out to be a cult hit or a wild experiment, one thing's for sure—Kartik Aaryan as a naag is something no one saw coming!