Hansal Mehta to direct Kartik Aaryan in Captain India; see first-look poster

Kartik Aaryan will star as a heroic pilot leading a rescue mission from a war-torn country in Hansal Mehta’s next film, Captain India, produced by RSVP Movies and Baweja Studios.

The action drama will revolve around the bravery of Aaryan’s pilot as he helms a rescue operation to bring Indian nationals back from abroad.

The star said in a statement, “Captain India is inspiring and thrilling in equal measure and it gives me great pride and honour to be a part of such a historic chapter of our country. I have immense respect for Hansal sir’s body of work and this was the perfect opportunity to collaborate with him.”

The actor will be essaying the part of a pilot for the first time and he dons the pilot’s uniform in the first poster out from the film. Looking downwards but determined, the actor seems poised for action.

The lower half of the poster shows a bombed-out city with fires burning in places. A plane in flight imposed above shows the promise of the rescue mission in Captain India.

Aaryan is currently awaiting the release of Ram Madhvani’s Dhamaka, which is due to be premiered on Netflix, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which is still in production.

Mehta said he was eager to work with Kartik Aaryan and get started on the feature with producers Ronnie Screwvala and Harman Baweja. Mehta and Screwvala have earlier worked on the National award-winning Shahid (2013), while he and Baweja first collaborated when the filmmaker was just starting out with Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai (2002).

Mehta, who directed the award-winning web-series Scam 1992 (2020), said, “Captain India, which is inspired by true events, will revisit a moment in time where a man goes beyond his own pain and suffering to save thousands.”

Mehta is also returning to the digital space to direct Scam 2003, about the stamp paper scam orchestrated by Abdul Karim Telgi. He is currently working on an untitled commercial thriller being produced by friend and fellow filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, with Aditya Rawal and Zahaan Kapoor as the leads.

Producer Screwvala said Mehta is a fine filmmaker who has always managed to capture the essence of humane stories. “Captain India is not just a story of one of the biggest humanitarian operations ever but also about the indomitable human spirit, one that rises above failure despite the odds," Screwvala said. "Kartik Aaryan’s fans are in for a treat as he steps into all-new territory with Captain India.”

Baweja, who has also written the screenplay, said the story would resonate with every Indian. “Captain India is the kind of film that strikes the perfect balance of an inspiring human story and an exhilarating cinematic experience," he said. "This move as a producer was a long time coming and I'm excited to collaborate with an equally passionate team in Ronnie Screwvala, Hansal Mehta and Kartik Aaryan.”

While Baweja made his acting debut with Love Story 2050 (2008) opposite Priyanka Chopra, he helped out as producer on his mother Pammi’s production with Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai. He launches his own banner with this production.

Captain India also features RSVP’s Sonia Kanwar as associate producer. Shooting for the film is expected to begin early next year.