Kartik Aaryan parts ways with Collective Artists Network, joins Dharma Cornerstone Agency

Kartik Aaryan has officially parted ways with Collective Artists Network and signed with Karan Johar and Rajiv Masand’s Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA), e4m has learnt from sources.

The move comes a year after a major PR debacle involving the actor and his former management team at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, which had placed his image management under intense public scrutiny. However, insiders told e4m that this isn’t the only reason behind the move. According to them, this is a strategic decision to shift focus towards increasing Aaryan's profile in terms of new projects, brand promotion, and audience connect. 

With over 15 years in the business, DCA manages more than 200 talents and boasts a roster that includes some of the biggest names in the industry such as Janhvi Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, Aditya Roy Kapur, Tripti Dimri, Disha Patani, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Beyond Bollywood, the agency also represents leading music artists like Jubin Nautiyal, Neeti Mohan, Amaal Mallik, and Monali Thakur, as well as digital creators including Orry and Sufi Motiwala.

For Aaryan, this transition marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career, one that aligns him with a powerhouse network known for its deep ties across cinema, music, and brand collaborations. Interestingly, it also reconnects him with the Dharma circle, despite earlier reports of friction between him and Johar following the casting fallout of Dostana 2.

A Year After the IFFI Debacle

During the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa last November, Aaryan was scheduled to appear for a special session celebrating Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. However, the event took a dramatic turn when his then-management team at Collective Artists reportedly made a series of unreasonable demands, including 10 extra tickets, two luxury suites, and additional five-star accommodations for his entourage.

Many industry insiders later described it as one of Bollywood’s biggest PR missteps of 2024. The festival organizers, primarily FICCI, refused the requests and subsequently halted all communication with Aaryan’s team. By the time Collective tried to retract its demands, the damage had been done, the actor’s session was dropped from the event lineup, and the fiasco quickly became the talk of the industry, casting a shadow over Aaryan’s otherwise clean public image.

Aaryan’s spokesperson later claimed the controversy stemmed from “a misunderstanding” between FICCI and NFDC, insisting that the actor’s travel and stay arrangements were independent of the festival. Still, for many in the industry, the incident became a textbook example of how poor management and inflated demands can hurt even the most bankable star’s reputation.

Industry watchers believe that with DCA’s strong media machinery and access to premium brand collaborations, Aaryan now has the right backing to strengthen his foothold in both cinema and endorsements. The timing is also strategic as his upcoming 2026 projects are expected to position him among Bollywood’s top draws once again.

Aaryan’s 2026 lineup includes Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand, a supernatural thriller slated for release on August 14, 2026, and Aashiqui 3, currently in production and expected to release the same year.

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Kartik and Ananya Panday’s film “Tu Mera Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri” is releasing this Christmas, December 25, and on the sidelines, the duo are collaborating for a brand endorsement with Skechers India. 

In a parallel development, Bunty Sajdeh, the man behind Cornerstone and co-founder of DCA, is set to launch his own independent talent management company. Sajdeh, who has managed sports icons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, has long been one of India’s most influential figures in talent representation.

With deep connections across entertainment and sports, including family ties to Indian cricket through his sister Ritika Sajdeh (married to Rohit Sharma) and past Bollywood links via his ex-wife Seema Khan, Sajdeh’s new venture is expected to focus on building a next-generation talent management space.