‘It’s rare for any actor to see both his films running houseful’

Ayushmann Khurrana has come to be known as one of the most bankable actors of Bollywood in recent times. Apart from a few misses here and there, the actor has enthralled audiences with his choice of films and brilliant performances. For the second year in a row, two of his films are simultaneously running to packed houses. He speaks to us about the rationale behind his film choices and the humbling experience of audiences accepting them. Excerpts:

It’s almost déjà vu. In 2017, both Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan released within two weeks of each other, and were hits. This year, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho have repeated that!

It’s a great feeling! I am glad that I made the right choices, and they are working. It is a déjà vu, and nobody wants their films releasing back-toback. Ideally the release dates should be spread out, and you should get enough time for the promotion of both the films. But if the films are good, nothing matters. It’s rare for any actor to see both his films running houseful in adjacent theatres.

Andhadhun was being seen as a noir thriller, but the numbers indicate that even families went for it. Were you expecting this?

It’s such a surprise for me. I did this film for sheer credibility, working with (director) Sriram Raghavan, change of genre and breaking the mould. But the public appreciation is surprising.

How does it feel to be a bankable, leading Hindi film star today?

It’s been a great experience. I went through a great learning curve in these last six years. I remember after Vicky Donor (2012), I used to take suggestions from a lot of people. I was nervous about making the right move, after Vicky Donor. Before Vicky Donor too, I had rejected at least four-five films as a lead actor. I thought ‘my first film should be good’.

I was not getting great scripts after Vicky Donor for another two-three years… then Dum Laga Ke Haisha (DLKH; 2015) happened, and that set the ball rolling again. Now, I have started trusting my gut. I go with my conviction, I get that first impulse when I read the script or get my first narration. I consume the film like an audience member, not as a selfish actor. In my film, every actor gets a great elbow room which eventually benefits you as a lead star, so I go with that strategy.

Your debut Vicky Donor was a sleeper hit, and the same was said for DLKH, and is being said for Andhadhun. Does it bother you that initially, your films aren’t looked at as capable of doing good business?

Badhaai Ho (is) my first nonsleeper hit. Most of my films are word-of-mouth sleeper hits, but this one, a direct hit. That’s what I believe in, with the kind of buzz it generated.

Do you prefer a big opening, or the film growing with word of mouth?

I think credibility matters the most. Respect as an actor and respect for the kind of films you do, is what matters. Of course, flanked by public appreciation i.e. the commerce of the film. I like to tread the middle path of both credibility and commercial success.

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT Ayushmann Khurrana