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Kartik Aaryan breaks silence on US event row after FWICE raises concerns. Says he is not involved and requests removal of promotional materials using his name.
Kartik Aaryan has issued an official statement after FWICE objected to his alleged participation in a US event organized by a Pakistani-owned restaurant.
Kartik Aaryan has officially distanced himself from an Independence Day event in the US that sparked backlash from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The actor’s team released a statement clarifying that he has no connection to Azadi Utsav – The Indian Independence Day, an event allegedly organised by a Pakistani-owned restaurant in Houston.
The controversy began after FWICE raised objections to Kartik’s reported participation in the event, sharing a poster that featured him as a guest. In its letter addressed to the actor, the federation expressed “deep concern” and urged him to withdraw from the programme.
But Kartik’s team has now clarified the actor’s stance, “Kartik Aaryan is not associated with this event in any capacity. He has never made an official announcement about participating in this event. We have contacted the organizers and requested to remove all promotional materials featuring his name and image.”
The federation’s letter read, “It is with a sense of deep concern and responsibility that the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) brings to your notice a matter involving your scheduled participation in an event titled Azadi Utsav – The Indian Independence Day to be held in Houston, USA, on 15th August 2025. As per the attached poster, you are being featured as the lead guest for this celebration.”
FWICE highlighted that the programme is being organised by Aga’s Restaurant and Catering, owned by Pakistani national Mr. Shaukat Maredia. It further claimed that the same establishment is hosting a separate event to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14.
“While such events are a source of pride and cultural expression for Indians abroad, we regret to inform you that this specific program is being organized by a Pakistani-owned restaurant… We believe you may not have been fully aware of the organizers’ background or affiliations. If so, we strongly urge you to immediately withdraw your participation… If you were aware, it becomes a matter of even greater concern — and we expect a clarification and immediate distancing from such associations,” the letter added.
With his official statement, Kartik Aaryan has now put the speculation to rest. His team’s swift action — including a request to the organisers to remove his name and image — aims to disassociate the actor from any unintended links.
Meanwhile, Kartik is currently busy filming Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, a romantic drama directed by Satyaprem Ki Katha’s Sameer Vidwans. Co-starring Ananya Panday, the film is slated to release on February 13, 2026. Their previous outing Pati Patni Aur Woh had stirred up fan interest, and the buzz around this Valentine’s Day release is already building.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
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