Kartik Aaryan kicks off filming for Karan Johar’s mythical saga Naagzilla

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan has officially begun shooting for his upcoming supernatural fantasy film Naagzilla – Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand, produced by Karan Johar. The shoot started on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, with a traditional puja ceremony attended by the entire cast and crew. A video from the sets shared by trade analyst Taran Adarsh showed Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar participating in the auspicious ritual before the cameras rolled for the first shot.

In the video, the Dharma Productions team can be seen gathered around as Kartik offers prayers before beginning the shoot. The atmosphere was festive, marking the start of what is expected to be one of Bollywood’s most anticipated fantasy projects of 2026.

Kartik Aaryan will play the lead role of an iccha-dhaari naag — a mythical, shape-shifting serpent — in the film. His character, Priyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, is expected to bring together elements of Indian folklore, fantasy, and humor. The film promises to explore the ancient world of Naag Lok with modern cinematic storytelling and visual effects.

Directed by Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, known for films like Fukrey, Naagzilla will blend mythology with comedy and drama, offering a unique take on Indian fantasy folklore. The film’s title suggests it will be the first part in a series exploring stories from Naag Lok — a mystical realm from Indian mythology inhabited by serpents.

Kartik hints at shoot, film to release in August 2026

Before the official announcement, Kartik had already given fans a sneak peek into the film’s progress. He shared a cheerful photo on social media, holding a clapboard with the title Naagzilla written on it, signaling the beginning of filming. The picture quickly went viral, sparking excitement among fans curious to see him in an entirely new avatar.

Karan Johar also shared the film’s motion poster earlier this year, teasing audiences with a fun caption that read: “You’ve seen enough pictures of humans, now watch this picture of snakes! Naagzilla – the first episode of Naag Lok, is coming to spread the fun — Priyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand... releasing on Naag Panchami, August 14, 2026!”

The post confirmed that Naagzilla will hit theatres nationwide on August 14, 2026, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Naag Panchami, which perfectly aligns with the film’s theme.

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While the complete storyline is still under wraps, sources close to the production have revealed that the movie will be a mix of fantasy adventure and folklore, with a touch of humor and drama. The story is expected to explore the journey of a serpent hero navigating the human world while protecting the secrets of Naag Lok.

Produced by Karan Johar, Mahavir Jain, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Mrigdeep Singh Lamba, and Sujeet Jain, the movie is being made on a grand scale. The team has reportedly invested heavily in visual effects and set design to create a believable mythical universe for audiences.

Fans are eager to see Kartik Aaryan in a completely different genre after his successful streak in romantic comedies and thrillers. This is his first collaboration with Karan Johar since their earlier professional differences, which makes Naagzilla even more talked about in Bollywood circles.

As filming begins, insiders believe that Naagzilla could mark a turning point for Kartik’s career, adding a larger-than-life fantasy role to his filmography. With a powerful creative team and a strong concept rooted in Indian mythology, Naagzilla – Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of 2026.