Bollywood A-list actor Ayushmann Khurrana scored one other main hit in 2023 with comedy sequel “Dream Woman 2.” However he’s nonetheless joyful to have achieved what he describes as “validation.”
The movie was one among a number of medium finances Hindi-language movies that turned field workplace successes, together with “OMG 2,” “Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway,” “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke,” “Satyaprem Ki Katha” and “twelfth Fail.” These successfully debunked the notion that solely huge finances spectacles like “Pathaan” or “Jawan” would work on the post-pandemic Bollywood field workplace, which had a poor 2022.
“There was a conspiracy concept, perhaps a 12 months again, that Indian audiences [were] solely in search of spectacles or larger-than-life movies, however this 12 months, a number of movies, which probably not huge finances however mid finances, did rather well,” Khurrana informed Selection. ”Dream Woman 2′ did nicely, so did ‘OMG 2,’ and ‘Gadar 2’ was technically additionally a mid finances movie. That norm has been damaged, that conspiracy concept has been confirmed improper.”
“In 2023, the viewers would settle for something, which is completely different, which simply connects with them – It doesn’t actually must be a spectacle or an enormous movie. We’ve seen small movies working now. The trade is again on observe. That’s a really constructive signal this 12 months,” Khurrana added.
Khurrana debuted with “Vicky Donor” (2012), during which he performed a sperm donor. Ranging from then, he has made some extent of taking part in various characters, and every of them have been box-office successes. These embody taking part in a person who suffers from erectile dysfunction in “Shubh Mangal Savdhan” (2017); an alopecia sufferer in “Bala” (2019); an out and proud homosexual man in “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan” (2020) and a macho gymnasium teacher who finds out that his fiancée was a person and has undergone gender reassignment surgical procedure in “Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui” (2021).
Whereas these roles clearly fly within the face of conventional Bollywood macho stereotypes, Khurrana’s different function selections have additionally been uncommon by the trade’s mainstream requirements. These embody taking part in a metropolis slicker cop discovering out in regards to the harsh realities of the caste system in rural India in “Article 15” (2019); and a person whose convincing feminine voice trigger many to fall in love with him in “Dream Woman” (2019).
“I might clearly be a bit completely different in each movie. I want to do one thing which has by no means been informed earlier than, however on the similar time within the within the realm or the zone of the relatability issue, protecting the bigger viewers in thoughts. I’m probably not style particular when it comes to my selections. They simply must resonate with me,” Khurrana stated. He provides that he’d wish to discover the motion style once more, which received him essential popularity of “An Motion Hero,” and horror-comedy.
Khurrana additionally tasted success in China with Sriram Raghavan’s thriller “Andhadhun” (2018), during which he performed a piano participant who might or will not be blind. It launched within the Center Kingdom in 2019, the place it collected practically $50 million. In up to date India, the place movies within the southern Indian languages are often remade in Hindi, slightly than the opposite means spherical, “Andhadhun” was remade in Telugu as “Maestro,” in Malayalam as “Bhramam” and in Tamil as “Andhagan.” As well as, “Article 15” was remade in Tamil as “Nenjuku Needhi,” “Vicky Donor” in Telugu as “Naruda Donoruda” and in Tamil as “Dharala Prabhu,” and “Badhaai Ho” in Tamil as “Veetla Vishesham.”
“It’s a validation I used to be actually joyful about as a result of I actually look as much as the southern aspect of the nation and the cinema they make. Each area has a special tonality and a grammar of cinema and a special viewers,” Khurrana stated. “It’s not as homogeneous as Hindi cinema which individuals devour from Kolkaka to Rajasthan to Punjab,” Khurrana stated. The actor remembers a current journey to Doha the place he was appreciated by Malayalam-language cinema aficionados. “That was the type of validation I’m in search of additionally on the similar time, as a result of I’m an enormous fan of Malayalam cinema,” Khurrana stated.
Actor Fahadh Faasil, who at present works throughout the south Indian languages, and director Sandeep Vanga Reddy, who makes movies in Hindi and Telugu, are among the many abilities whose work Khurrana charges and he’s eager to work within the southern Indian industries. “I’m able to work with completely different genres, completely different administrators, no matter I discover fascinating,” Khurrana stated.
Khurrana can be a musician, whose “Nindiya” observe in hit Netflix collection “The Railway Males” was acclaimed. From 2024 onwards, Khurrana will likely be taking music extra severely and can match it alongside his performing profession. “Music actually is soul stirring, it simply takes me ahead. Each time I’m down, I take heed to music, I’m all the time listening to music. It’s one thing which I can’t do with out. I must discover it extra for my very own self,” Khurrana stated.
In the meantime, Khurrana is busy with a slate of movies, particulars of that are underneath wraps in the intervening time, and in addition his function as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF India. “It’s been three years now that I’ve been a part of UNICEF, and I’ve been working towards cyberbullying and in addition in direction of looking for employment alternatives for younger adults,” Khurrana stated. There are additionally plans to make business movies geared toward kids. “We have to empower them by way of cinema as nicely,” Khurrana stated.
