Sid’s Kartik Dig Sparks Buzz

Sidharth Malhotra’s quip about Kartik Aaryan’s “PR budget” on Koffee With Karan 9 has sparked online chatter, with fans reading between the lines for a possible dig at the actor’s media visibility.

The two actors have frequently been pitted against each other by the entertainment media as competing leads of the same generation. Kartik has publicly denied relying on aggressive PR machinery, while stating that he lacks family backing in the industry.

According to a filmmaker who has worked with both stars, Sidharth has long harboured a feeling of resentment and rivalry with regard to Kartik. He said, “Kartik is the outsider who became a superstar without any major studio or backing. Sid on the other hand has not attained the heights he aimed for in spite of Karan Johar’s backing. Kartik recently won a National Award. He has some of the best projects in his repertoire. Even Kiara Advani’s only real blockbusters are with Kartik (Bhool Bhulaiya 2, Satyaprem Ki Katha). He added, “Sid’s resentment is understandable.”