The actor has been delivering hits after hits with his recent releases garnering critical acclaim and box office success
Mumbai: If 2019 belongs to one Bollywood actor, it won't be an overstatement to take Ayushmann Khurrana’s name. While his crime thriller Andhadhun has achieved critical acclaim, family comedy-drama Badhai Ho has garnered success at the box office.
While interacting with MyNation, the 34-year-old actor revealed that he said ‘yes’ to Badhai Ho immediately after reading the script. In his words, “I don’t take time to say yes to a good script. For example, I said yes to Badhai Ho immediately after reading the script.” However, the case was different for Andhadhun. Ayushmann revealed that he had approached Sriram Raghavan for the film and when the director reminded him that he hasn’t worked in any suspense thriller yet, Ayushmann offered to audition for the role. With lead actors willingly auditioning for roles, does that mean Bollywood is witnessing changing times? Ayushmann said, “I can't talk about others but I auditioned for the role. I feel it is important to keep aside your ego while at work. And, if you are confident enough with your acting skills then what’s the harm in auditioning?”
He also said, “Sometimes actors become obsessed with themselves and want their characters (in the film) to be the best, but if the entire script is not good then there is no fun. In my films Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Savdhan and Badhai Ho, the scripts offered enough scope for every actor to perform well and they did, that’s why I give utmost importance to the script.” Did he ever regret rejecting a script? The actor answered, “I haven’t ever regretted refusing a film. Also, most of the films I have refused haven’t performed well.”
When we asked him, how would he react if he was faced with a similar situation to that of Badhai Ho in real life, Ayushmann laughed his heart out and replied, “Perhaps I would have reacted in the same way as I have done in the film. If somebody’s mom gets pregnant at this age, it’s very embarrassing. I would have thought why did she do this? Sex is still okay but having kids at this age?” He added, “Such a situation doesn’t arise now but in olden times when people used to have 10-15 kids, this was common.”
Though both his films released during Navaratri and Durga Puja this year almost back to back. That is a risk that worked courtesy the festive dates. He added, “This is the first time any film of mine is getting a festive release. Even though a film which releases on a festival or holiday does good business but eventually content is the king. No matter when you are releasing your film, if the content isn’t good, it will not do good business.”
Ayushmann Khurrana made his Bollywood debut in 2012 with Vicky Donor. How much has he changed as a person in the last six years? “I am the same person,” he says, adding, “Just that I have learnt to take decisions.” More than success, the actor admits being more influenced by his failures. He said, “I question myself and try to understand what went wrong. I also ensure that my mistake is not repeated.”
His brother Aparshakti Khurrana debuted with Dangal two years ago and is slowly carving a niche with roles in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi and Stree this year. Do the brothers discuss films at home? Ayushmann says, “Yes, we discuss work and take each other’s opinion. I like his script selection and sense of timing. I am very proud of him. He did a very good job in Stree. He is gradually creating his own space.”
While he may seem to have it all, the actor is hoping for a multi-starrer film starring the big guns Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Well, that would be a movie to watch out for. For now, Ayushmann wants to unwind on a month-long vacation.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.