Kartik Aaryan poses with 'Dostana 2' cast and crew members.

Gulf Today Report

Soon after Karan Johar's banner, Dharma Productions dropped their official statement on social media announcing lead actor Kartik Aaryan's exit from the film on Friday evening, netizens started slamming the production house alleging nepotism.

Kangana Ranaut also took to Twitter and expressed her support for Kartik Aaryan, who had already shot for a few portions of the film.

Kangana tweeted late Friday, "Kartik has come this far on his own, on his own he will continue to do so, only request to papa jo and his nepo gang club is please leave him alone like Shushant don’t go after him... Leave him alone you vultures, get lost chindi nepos...Kartik no need to be scared of these chillars.... after doing nasty articles and releasing announcements blaming only your attitude for fall out this moron wants to maintain a dignified silence. They spread same stories of drug addiction and unprofessional behaviour for SSR also."

A section of netizens also compared Kartik Aaryan's position with late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was allegedly a victim of nepotism, saying Kartik is being targeted for not being an industry insider's child, just like Sushant. Fans are also threatening to boycott "Dostana 2".

The statement issued by Dharma Productions on Friday evening read: "Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence -- we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon."

While the comments section on the Dharma Productions official Twitter account was soon disabled, netizens continued venting anger on their official Facebook and Instagram accounts, where the statement has been shared.

Commenting on the Dharma Productions post on Facebook, a user wrote: "You are doomed Dharma. Kartik had completed the first stretch of the schedule and since 1.5 years putting up posts and appearances of the shooting schedule. One more time you did this to an artist. Out of hundreds probably behind the closed doors. Try selling this film to the audiences who are still interested in this nepo and favouritism crap. Whatever chances you had for the movie that's gone too. Kartik won't be another Sushant we won't let that happen. Sushant's case was a different one nobody was aware of his trauma back then but time has changed. Boycott."

"To hell with your 3rd class movies. Your movies are pathetic. Always ruins the mood. There are no stories. Only the nepo kids, those who don't know how to act..." wrote another user.

"Recasting means another Star kid... to promote #Nepotism as usual," wrote a user.

"Straight boycott!! Kartik doesn't need anyone. Self-made self star.. superstar," wrote a fan.

Commenting on the Dharma page on Instagram, a user alleged: "Karan Johar is the flagbearer of nepotism in Bollywood.

"Please tell us which star kid you will be casting, very dignified indeed," wrote a user.