Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan officially kicked off filming for his highly-anticipated fantasy-comedy, Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand, today. The actor marked the auspicious beginning of the ambitious project, where he plays an ‘Ichhadaari Naag’ (shape-shifting serpent), by sharing the news on social media, instantly electrifying his massive fan base.
The film, which promises a blend of high-concept fantasy and comedy, is a major collaboration between Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films. Director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, celebrated for his work on the Fukrey franchise, takes the helm, promising a unique cinematic experience that breaks new ground for Bollywood’s creature-feature genre.
Kartik Aaryan chose a particularly symbolic date to commence the principal photography. The muhurat ceremony for Naagzilla coincided precisely with the first anniversary of one of his biggest blockbuster hits, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. The actor posted a picture of the clapboard on his Instagram, clearly stating the significance of the day:
“1 Year of #BhoolBhulaiyaa3. Day 1 of #Naagzilla. Har Har Mahadev. 14th August 2026.”
The post, which quickly garnered millions of likes and comments, showed Aaryan holding the clapboard, signalling his enthusiasm for taking on this challenging new role. Fans flooded the comments section, expressing excitement for the film and wishing the team success on their novel cinematic venture.
The producers have strategically locked in August 14, 2026, for the film’s theatrical release. The date falls perfectly on the Independence Day weekend, maximizing its box-office potential, and cleverly aligning with the auspicious Hindu festival of Naag Panchami, which celebrates the worship of serpents. This clever scheduling reflects the producers’ confidence in the film’s unique appeal and large-scale vision.
The film, whose title roughly translates to “Snake-zilla: The First Chapter of the Serpent World,” is generating immense buzz not just for its subject matter but also for the high-profile production team backing it. The partnership between industry giant Dharma Productions and Mahaveer Jain Films signals a commitment to producing out-of-the-box, quality entertainment rooted in Indian culture.
Naagzilla will see Kartik Aaryan step into the shoes of Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, an ‘Ichhadaari Naag’ with a six-century-old legacy. The role marks a bold departure for the actor, who has primarily dominated the comedy and romantic-comedy genres.
The actor previously offered a chilling glimpse into his character’s transformation in a promotional motion poster. The clip showed Aaryan’s human skin morphing into green, serpentine scales as he stood in a vast snake pit. His voiceover in the teaser confidently declared: “Insanon wali picturein toh bohot dekh li, ab dekho naagon wali picture!” (You have seen enough films about humans, now watch a film about snakes!)
This transformation scene and the epic scale hinted at by the production houses suggest Naagzilla will be a VFX-heavy spectacle, relying on cutting-edge technology to bring the creature-comedy genre to life on the big screen. Director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, known for his impeccable comic timing in the Fukrey series, is expected to inject a heavy dose of humour into the creature-feature framework.
As the cameras begin rolling, industry observers and fans eagerly anticipate watching Aaryan reinvent his screen persona and the unique creature-comedy narrative unfold under the guidance of one of Bollywood’s most successful production houses. The Naagzilla project firmly establishes Aaryan as a versatile actor willing to embrace high-risk, high-reward cinematic experiments.
