KJo replaces Kartik: Fans threaten Dostana 2 boycott, Kangana says 'don't go after him like Sushant'

Karan Johar's Dharma productions on Friday announced that they will be recasting Dostana 2, starring Kartik Aaryan, due to "professional circumstances". Soon after the announcement, netizens started slamming the production house alleging nepotism while KJo's arch-enemy Kangana Ranaut launched a scathing attack comparing Kartik to late Sushant Singh Rajput.

Hyderabad: Ace filmmaker Karan Johar's Dharma Productions on Friday issued an official statement regarding the recasting of the upcoming movie Dostana 2. There were several reports doing the rounds that Kartik had been dropped from the project. However, the production house didn't divulge any details as to why they decided to recast the film.

Without taking any names, the production house issued a statement about replacement in the film. "Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence - we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon," the statement from Dharma read.

Soon after Dharma Productions dropped their official statement on social media announcing Kartik's exit from the film, netizens started slamming the production house alleging nepotism.

A section of netizens also compared Kartik Aaryan's position with late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was allegedly a victim of nepotism, saying Kartik is being targeted for not being an industry insider's child, just like Sushant. Fans are also threatening to boycott Dostana 2.

While the comments section on the Dharma Productions official Twitter account was soon disabled, netizens continued venting anger on their official Facebook and Instagram accounts, where the statement has been shared.

READ |KJo ousts Kartik Aaryan from Dostana 2 and other projects for 'unreasonable behaviour'?

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, who flagged off the nepotism debate in 2017 and called KJo 'flagbearer of nepotism', has come out in support of Kartik. Kangana posted a series of tweets, asking KJo to not ‘target Kartik like Sushant Singh Rajput’.

Ranaut also requested 'nepo gang club' to leave Kartik alone and not force him to hang himself.

"Kartik has come this far on his own, on his own he will continue to do so, only request to papa jo and his nepo gang club is please leave him alone like Shushant don’t go after him and force him to hang himself," Kangana tweeted.

Aaryan rose to fame with 2011 film Pyaar Ka Punchnama and later featured in films such as Luka Chupppi, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Love Aaj Kal. His upcoming films are Dhamaka and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2.