The Aashiqui franchise is a cornerstone of Bollywood’s romantic cinema, enchanting audiences with its soulful music and heartfelt love stories. From the 1990 classic Aashiqui to its 2013 spiritual successor Aashiqui 2, and the much-anticipated Aashiqui 3 set for release in 2025, the series has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Yet, beneath the romantic allure and chart-topping soundtracks lies a peculiar pattern that fans and observers have dubbed the “Aashiqui Curse.” This phenomenon suggests that the lead actors of these films, despite achieving meteoric fame, often face dramatic career downturns or personal tragedies soon after. This blog delves into the stories of Rahul Roy, Anu Aggarwal, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Shraddha Kapoor, exploring whether this curse is real and whether Kartik Aaryan, the lead of Aashiqui 3, should be cautious. Through their journeys, we uncover the highs, lows, and mysteries surrounding the Aashiqui legacy.
The Birth of a Phenomenon: Aashiqui (1990)
The original Aashiqui, directed by Mahesh Bhatt and released in 1990, redefined Bollywood romance. Starring newcomers Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, the film told the story of Rahul, a struggling musician from a broken family, and Anu, an orphan escaping an oppressive hostel, who fall in love against all odds. The film’s heart-wrenching narrative, paired with its iconic soundtrack by Nadeem-Shravan, became a cultural phenomenon. Tracks like “Dheere Dheere Se” and “Saanson Ki Zarurat” resonated deeply, with the album selling over 20 million units, making it the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack of all time. The film’s success catapulted its leads to instant stardom, but their stories post-Aashiqui form the foundation of the curse narrative.
Rahul Roy: Stardom in a Flash, Fade in Silence
Rahul Roy, at just 24, became a national heartthrob with Aashiqui. His soulful performance and boyish charm made him a household name, with fans comparing him to Bollywood’s reigning stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan. The film’s success was so overwhelming that Rahul signed 47 films within 11 days—a staggering feat for a debutant. However, this meteoric rise was followed by an equally swift decline. None of his subsequent films, such as Majhdhaar, Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare, or Junoon, matched Aashiqui’s magic. Audiences, expecting the same emotional depth and musical grandeur, were disappointed by these projects, which often lacked the spark of his debut.
Rahul’s career plummeted, and he faded from the spotlight. In 2006, he resurfaced by winning the first season of Bigg Boss, hosted by Arshad Warsi, but this did little to revive his acting career. In 2020, he suffered a brain stroke, further distancing him from mainstream cinema. Today, Rahul occasionally appears in independent films or guest roles, but for most fans, he remains synonymous with Aashiqui. His story raises questions: Was his downfall due to poor script choices, audience expectations, or something more inexplicable tied to the Aashiqui legacy?
Anu Aggarwal: A Star Who Vanished
Anu Aggarwal, the unconventional beauty of Aashiqui, also soared to fame with the film. Her tall, striking presence and bold persona broke the mold of typical Bollywood heroines. However, like Rahul, her career faltered post-Aashiqui. Her subsequent films, such as King Uncle and Khal-Naaikaa, flopped at the box office, failing to capture the same emotional resonance. Then, in 1999, tragedy struck. Anu was involved in a severe car accident that left her in a coma for 29 days. When she awoke, she had lost all memory of her past life, including her time in Bollywood.
This accident marked a turning point. Anu stepped away from acting and embraced a spiritual path, becoming a yoga practitioner and motivational speaker. She authored books and distanced herself from the glamour of cinema. Her story is perhaps the most poignant in the Aashiqui narrative, as her sudden exit from Bollywood was not just a career setback but a complete erasure of her past identity. Was this tragedy a coincidence, or does it fuel the notion of a curse?
Aashiqui 2: A Modern Classic with a Dark Shadow
In 2013, Aashiqui 2, directed by Mohit Suri, revived the franchise’s legacy as a spiritual successor. Starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor, the film was a loose adaptation of A Star is Born, focusing on Rahul Jaykar, a fading singer battling alcoholism, and Aarohi, his protégé who rises to fame under his guidance. The film’s soundtrack, with hits like “Tum Hi Ho” and “Sunn Raha Hai,” became a cultural juggernaut, topping charts and cementing the film’s status as a modern classic. With a budget of ₹15 crore, it grossed over ₹110 crore, making it one of 2013’s highest-grossing Hindi films.
Despite its commercial and critical success, the lead actors’ trajectories post-Aashiqui 2 echo the curse narrative, albeit with variations.
Aditya Roy Kapur: The Heartthrob Who Faded
Aditya Roy Kapur, already known for supporting roles in films like London Dreams and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, became a leading man with Aashiqui 2. His intense portrayal of Rahul Jaykar, coupled with his brooding charm, made him a generation’s heartthrob. However, his solo lead films post-Aashiqui 2—Daawat-e-Ishq, Fitoor, Ok Jaanu, and Rashtra Kavach Om—failed to replicate the success. Critics noted that while Aditya had potential, his projects lacked the emotional depth or commercial appeal needed to sustain his stardom. Online discussions suggest that Aditya’s laid-back approach to fame may have contributed, with fans noting he seemed uninterested in chasing blockbuster stardom.
Today, Aditya remains active in supporting roles and OTT projects, but his inability to maintain leading-man status mirrors the struggles of Rahul Roy. Fans often lament that Aashiqui 2 gave him everything, only to see his career plateau.
Shraddha Kapoor: The One Who Escaped?
Shraddha Kapoor stands out as the apparent exception to the Aashiqui curse. Following Aashiqui 2, she delivered multiple hits, including Ek Villain, ABCD 2, Baaghi, Chhichhore, Stree, and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Her ability to balance commercial and offbeat films, coupled with a strong social media presence, has kept her relevant. Fans praise her versatility and positive public image, which have helped her navigate Bollywood’s competitive landscape.
Shraddha’s success could be attributed to strategic script choices, versatility, or simply luck. Her career trajectory suggests that the curse may not be universal, but her exceptionality only deepens the mystery: Why did she thrive while others faded?
The Aashiqui 3 Enigma: Kartik Aaryan’s Risky Venture
With Aashiqui 3, directed by Anurag Basu and starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela, set for release in 2025, the curse narrative has resurfaced. Kartik, already a bankable star with hits like Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, is at a different career stage than his predecessors. However, the franchise’s history has sparked speculation. Some fans believe Kartik’s established status might shield him from the curse, while others wonder if Aashiqui 3 could mark a turning point. The film’s title has been contentious, with legal disputes between T-Series and Mukesh Bhatt leading to speculation it might be called Tu Aashiqui Hai. This adds intrigue, as the franchise’s branding is integral to its mystique.
Will Aashiqui 3 be Kartik’s career-defining moment, akin to Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar? Or could it lead to a decline, as seen with Rahul Roy and Aditya Roy Kapur? The film’s musical legacy, a hallmark of the series, will likely play a significant role, given the franchise’s history of chart-topping soundtracks.
Exploring the Curse: Coincidence or Fate?The Aashiqui curse raises questions about whether the pattern is mere coincidence or something more. Several factors could explain the phenomenon:
- Audience Expectations: The monumental success of Aashiqui and Aashiqui 2 set an extraordinarily high bar. Audiences expected subsequent projects to match their emotional and musical impact, which proved challenging for Rahul Roy and Aditya Roy Kapur.
- Personal Tragedies: Anu Aggarwal’s accident was a freak event, but its timing post-Aashiqui fuels the curse narrative. Similarly, Aditya’s struggles with alcoholism in his role mirrored themes that may have influenced his career choices.
- Industry Dynamics: Bollywood’s competitive landscape often sidelines actors who fail to diversify or secure strong scripts. Shraddha Kapoor’s success highlights the importance of versatility and strategic planning.
- The Power of Music: The Aashiqui franchise’s soundtracks are its backbone. Fans note that the series is known for its music, with songs often outshining the films themselves. This musical legacy amplifies the films’ impact but also creates pressure for actors to live up to it.
The Broader Context: Bollywood’s Fleeting Fame
The Aashiqui curse can also be viewed in the broader context of Bollywood’s unpredictable nature. The industry is notorious for its fleeting fame, where one hit can launch an actor to stardom, but sustaining it requires consistent hits, strong networking, and adaptability. Actors like Govinda and Raveena Tandon faced similar peaks and troughs in the 1990s, suggesting that the Aashiqui pattern may reflect industry-wide challenges rather than a supernatural curse. Yet, the concentration of setbacks among Aashiqui leads—three out of four facing significant career or personal challenges—makes the phenomenon intriguing.
Aashiqui’s Lasting Legacy
Despite the curse narrative, the Aashiqui franchise remains a cultural touchstone. Its music continues to resonate, with songs like “Tum Hi Ho” and “Dheere Dheere Se” evoking nostalgia across generations. The films’ exploration of love, sacrifice, and ambition strikes a universal chord, ensuring their enduring appeal. For actors, however, the franchise seems to be a double-edged sword—offering unparalleled fame but also immense pressure to sustain it.
Conclusion: A Cinematic Mystery
The Aashiqui curse is a compelling blend of fact, coincidence, and fan speculation. Rahul Roy’s rapid rise and fall, Anu Aggarwal’s tragic accident, Aditya Roy Kapur’s stalled career, and Shraddha Kapoor’s resilience paint a complex picture. As Kartik Aaryan steps into Aashiqui 3, the question remains: Is this a golden opportunity or a risky gamble? The franchise’s legacy, with its unforgettable music and emotional depth, continues to captivate, but its shadow looms large. Whether the curse is real or a myth, the stories of these actors remind us of the fleeting nature of fame and the unpredictable tides of Bollywood.
For fans of cinematic mysteries, the Aashiqui saga offers a narrative worth exploring. Share your thoughts: Do you believe in the Aashiqui curse? And what does the future hold for Kartik Aaryan? Let’s unravel this Bollywood enigma together.