Ayushmann wants more ‘alpha parts’
Be it with his choice of films or with a string of success, Ayushmann Khurrana seems to have come into his own now. Even as his latest release, AndhaDhun, does well, Ayushmann readily admits that he owns the quirky zone. “For me, it’s good to be in this zone, because most of the scripts have been progressive and minus any reference points as well,” says the actor, as he opens up about his wife Tahira Kashyap’s fight with breast cancer, and his new film, Badhaai Ho.
Is this possibly the best phase of your career yet?
I’m in a happy space, for sure. I don’t want to call it the ‘best phase’, because you want to keep evolving with every film, while hoping that your best is yet to come. I’ve done slice-oflife films, but want to explore myself more with different genres, possibly starting with more alpha parts.
So, you want to star in a Dabangg or Rowdy Rathore kind of a film… Woh toh abhi pata nahi hai. But I’d really like to develop more muscles and undergo some physical transformation. My films have been in a more ‘realistic’ zone, so you can’t be buffed up if you play a ‘real’ guy. But I think that’d also come with age. For instance, Saif (Ali Khan) was just a chocolate hero, but with Omkara, he was transformed.
This is your sixth year in the industry (debuted with Vicky Donor, 2012). Are you now more surefooted about your career? In my head, I was always surefooted. I took baby steps to success — from theatre, radio to TV and then films. I knew I’d survive one way or the other; I always believed in myself. There’s more to me than just acting. Plus, I didn’t achieve success overnight, so I’m a bit different from others. Now though, the perception has changed and there’s more respect now.
With your new film, Badhaai Ho, you seem to have gone back to your quirky world. True? Yes, this film falls in my staple zone. Last year, I was really nervous with back-to-back releases (Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan), thinking one of the films would be affected. But, fortunately, both worked. This time around too, there’s sense of déjà vu. But I’m glad that AndhaDhun has done well. Unlike my other films, which got word-ofmouth success, I expect a good opening for Badhaai Ho.
Have you never been worried about getting typecast?
As long as your films work and resonate with people, no one will put you in any bracket. Touchwood, things have been really good for me. It all boils down to entertainment. If a film is entertaining and unique, I’m okay with any film of any genre. It’s important to have your own niche in the industry. At the same time, you should venture out once in a while and then come back your zone.
As an elder brother, you must be really proud of Aparshakti? Mera bahut man hai to do a film with him. I’m so proud of him. He was so good in Stree. Everyone has their own journey, which should end with success. We both have our own individual spaces. But as a brother, I want him to be really successful. After Stree, no one can suggest that ‘Apar shaayad apne bhai ki wajahse aaya hai [industry mein].’