Dharma Productions Under Fire for Reusing Kartik Aaryan’s Old Instagram Photo in Naagzilla Poster

Dharma Productions, one of Bollywood’s most influential film studios helmed by filmmaker Karan Johar, is facing criticism after the release of the motion poster for its upcoming fantasy-comedy film Naagzilla, starring Kartik Aaryan. While the announcement was expected to create buzz, what followed instead was a wave of online backlash fueled by accusations of creative laziness.

A Familiar Visual Sparks Controversy
On April 22, the motion poster for Naagzilla dropped across social media platforms. The visual featured a silhouette of Kartik Aaryan—shirtless, with his back to the camera—standing against a surreal cityscape backdrop. However, the intrigue quickly turned into suspicion when Reddit users pointed out an uncanny resemblance to a photo previously posted by Aaryan on his personal Instagram account.

Within hours, side-by-side comparisons of the two images went viral, sparking accusations that Dharma had simply recycled the old picture to announce a project that’s scheduled to hit theaters more than a year from now.

Internet Reactions: “Lack of Effort Is Obvious”
Outraged netizens flocked to Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram to criticize what many are calling a lazy promotional strategy. One Reddit post read, “So Dharma basically reused Kartik’s old Instagram post to make the official poster of their next movie. KJo and his team really have stopped putting in efforts.” Another user added, “This is absolutely wild. They couldn’t even be bothered to organize a fresh photoshoot. The visuals look cheap and rushed—especially for a film scheduled for 2026.”

Some critics even targeted the movie’s title, Naagzilla, calling it “a mashup parody of Godzilla and Naagin,” while others mocked it as a marketing stunt that failed to generate excitement.

Some Fans Offer Context
Amid the backlash, a section of the fanbase came to Dharma’s defense. According to these users, Kartik Aaryan is currently committed to an intense role in Anurag Basu’s upcoming musical drama and has drastically changed his appearance—sporting a full beard and rugged look. Scheduling a shoot for Naagzilla’s poster may have been impractical, they argued, especially if the studio wanted to align with the promotional calendar or drop the poster on a symbolic date.

“In situations like these, placeholders or teaser visuals are common. People are blowing it out of proportion,” one Instagram user commented.

Dharma Productions’ Position and Industry Insight
Despite the chatter, Dharma Productions has not issued a formal statement addressing the poster controversy. Industry insiders suggest that it might have been a calculated move to create early hype for what is clearly intended as a fantasy entertainer filled with humor, mythological references, and visual effects.

The studio’s cryptic yet humorous caption while sharing the poster—“Insanon wali picturein toh bahut dekh li, ab dekho naagon wali pichchar!”—hints at a tongue-in-cheek approach to storytelling, which some argue justifies a playful and unconventional teaser poster.

Comparisons to Ektaa Kapoor’s Naagin and Meme Storm
The term Naagzilla instantly reminded many social media users of Ektaa Kapoor’s long-running Naagin series. Memes flooded Twitter, with captions like “Karan Johar and Ektaa Kapoor are building a cinematic serpent universe” and “Naagin meets Jurassic Park.”

The meme wave further amplified the buzz around the film—whether positive or not—and has turned Naagzilla into one of the most talked-about yet mocked Bollywood announcements of 2024.

Looking Ahead: Expectations and Concerns
Naagzilla is scheduled to hit theaters on August 14, 2026—coinciding with the Naag Panchami holiday, a festival celebrating snakes in Hindu culture. The film’s release date and theme suggest a blend of myth, modernity, and masala entertainment, likely aimed at both family audiences and younger viewers.

But with its rocky start, Dharma Productions will now be under pressure to demonstrate that Naagzilla has more to offer than just recycled visuals and quirky titles. A lot will depend on the first trailer, the originality of the storyline, and Kartik Aaryan’s performance—especially after the success of his recent releases.

Final Thoughts
The controversy around Naagzilla’s poster reveals the growing scrutiny that even established production houses face in today’s digital age. With fans and critics closely analyzing every detail, authenticity and effort have become non-negotiable expectations. Whether this incident will hurt or ultimately help Naagzilla’s promotional journey remains to be seen.

For now, the ball is in Dharma’s court. Will they rise to the challenge and surprise audiences, or will Naagzilla become another flashy announcement that fizzled out too soon?