Aug 17, 2026 3:00pm IST
Kartik Aaryan’s Big Move: Launches Dopamine Studios to Produce Kabir Khan’s Sports Drama (EXCLUSIVE)
Actor Kartik Aaryan turns producer with the launch of his banner, Dopamine Studios. His first project is an as-yet untitled film directed by Kabir Khan. It marks the second collaboration between the actor and the director after “Chandu Champion” (2024), which got Aaryan the Best Actor honor at the 72nd National Film Awards.
While “Chandu Champion” was based on the life of India’s first Paralympic gold medalist Murlikant Petkar, his upcoming sports drama will feature the actor as a kickboxing coach who helps shape the journey of a young girl from Kashmir. The story draws inspiration from the life of Tajamul Islam, the young Kashmiri athlete who rose to international prominence as a kickboxing champion.
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Aaryan committed to the film as he connected with its emotional core. That ultimately led him to come on board as a producer, launching Dopamine Studios. A source close to the actor told Variety India, “Kartik was moved by the courage, passion and journey of the character and wanted to be a part of finding the right audience for the film. His decision to step into production came from his desire to support the film on a deeper creative level.”
Aaryan has undergone kickboxing training for the role. Filming is currently underway, with portions of the film being shot across Mumbai and Kashmir. The launch of Dopamine Studios marks a new chapter in the actor’s journey, expanding his creative involvement beyond acting. Aaryan and Khan continue their shared interest in stories rooted in resilience, ambition and the triumph of the human spirit, while giving the actor an opportunity to champion a story he feels strongly about from behind the camera as well.
Further details, including the film’s title, additional cast and release plans, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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