‘GLAD THAT AUDIENCES HAVE BACKED MY CHOICE OF FILMS’
Ayushmann says he loves working with debutants
I HAVE ALWAYS HUNTED FOR CLUTTER-BREAKING CONTENT AND IS AT THE TOP OF THE PILE FOR ME. THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE VOICING THE NEED FOR UNITY AND INCLUSIVITY AFTER WATCHING THE TRAILER OF ANEK IS ENOUGH VALIDATION FOR ME AS AN ARTISTE
ANEK
Ayushmann Khurrana, who is playing an undercover cop in Anubhav Sinha’s Anek, is absolutely stoked about the way audiences have reacted to the trailer of the film, which is up for release later this month.
“When we set out to make Anek, Anubhav Sir was very clear that he wanted it to be an engaging story that would also make people ponder about our identity as Indians. We are so diverse, different and unique, but do we celebrate that and make it our strength? That’s what Anek intends to ask and hopefully also answer. That’s why this film is so special to me,” says the actor.
“It is a political thriller and a change of genre for me like it was with Article 15 and Andhadhun in the past,”
s a y s Ayushmann, adding, “Anubhav Sinha has a distinct voice in cinema and knows Indian society really well, having made films like Mulk, Article 15 and Thappad. He has something unique to say.”
In Anek, Ayushmann, who played a cop earlier
in Article 15 essays a policeman who sets out to set things right in the North East. “Joshua is a cop who can fight the baddies not just with brawn.
He is street-smart and intelligent. This is the first time I am playing
someone who goes undercover.” says the Bala actor, adding that he was
happy to have done something different.
Ayushmann’s scripts have frequently triggered debates about inclusivity. “I have always hunted for clutter-breaking content and Anek is at the top of the pile for me. I’m delighted with the response to the trailer. It has struck a chord with Indians and I couldn’t be happier. The fact that people across the country are voicing the need for unity and inclusivity after watching the trailer of Anek is enough validation for me as an artiste,” he asserts.
The actor is pleased that audiences have often backed his choice of films. I seriously owe my audiences for standing by me and appreciating my work,” he says.
Besides Anek, Ayushmann has Anubhuti Kashyap’s debut film and film-maker Aanand L. Rai’s Action Hero directed by another debutant, Anirudh Iyer. “Action Hero is super fresh, zany and quirky. Aniurudh Ganapathy is a first-time director and it is also the first action film for Aanand L Rai. But it is not a straight-jacketed action film. It has some quirks. I loved exploring this genre for the first time and I know that we have a product that will engage and intrigue cinelovers across India,” adds the actor.
“I love working with debutants,” says Ayushmann who collaborated with firsttimers Vibhu Puri for Hawaiazaada, Akshay Roy for Meri Pyaari Bindu, RS
Prasanna (Hindi debut) for Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Raaj Shandilya for Dream Girl and Hitesh Kewalya for Shubh Mangal Zyad Savdhan. “I hope to have an incredibly exciting year in cinema because I have really diverse films releasing. I have always looked to handpick projects that are out of the ordinary and I’m confident that I’m bringing the best of content that I could find for audiences to watch and enjoy on the big screen,” says Ayushmann.
“One such film is from Anubhuti,” he says. “She is Anurag Kashyap’s sister but has her own identity. The subject that will make people ponder about an important social issue though it is told in the most entertaining manner. It’s a subject with a message that will appeal to people’s hearts. It is the brand of cinema which has become my identity in movies,” he says.