B’wood’s risk-taker hero
Ayushmann Khurrana remembers being told that no one would accept cinema that discussed taboo topics
And yet, here the actor is, having delivered eight back-toback hits, with stories otherwise considered ‘too risky’. Through his unique, quirky, stereotypebreaking films, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has carved his name in the history of cinema as a risk-taking hero who is constantly trying his best to normalise taboo topics. On the first anniversary of the actor’s sleeper hit Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, a hilarious take on the stereotypes surrounding samesex relationships in India, Ayushmann speaks about why the industry needs to constantly produce such eye-opening films. “Taboo topics need to be constantly addressed through cinema because it can alter the mind-set of the people,” says Ayushmann, who became the first mainstream hero to deliver a hit film on same-sex relationships and play a gay man on screen. “It takes a lot of time and effort to normalize taboo subjects and bring about constructive changes in society. I’m glad that we tried to contribute towards making the conversation about same-sex relationships in India mainstream through Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.”
Ayushmann also talked about how given that the film was a hit proved to him that people want to engage and have a conversation on such important subjects. “The fact that Indian families came out and watched this film was the biggest success story for me because our families can contribute so much to foster a spirit of inclusivity when it comes to same-sex relationships,” he says.
There is, however, another reason that Ayushmann was especially thrilled the film did well. “I was thrilled with the response towards the film because everyone told me that no one would accept this kind of cinema,” he explains. “Instead, I was humbled with the appreciation [that came]. The success of this film is in how it was accepted as a commercial film and how it has hopefully done its job to pave a path for many other films on such subjects to be made.” Talking about how it has always been his endeavour to bring such discussions out in the open and do his bit towards creating a forward-thinking society, Ayushmann says he’s always wanted to reach out and have a conversation with people about the subjects that he’s addressed through his movies. “Rest assured that I will continue doing that because it satiates me as an artist and motivates me to discover more subjects like these,” he says as he signs off.
"We tried to make the conversation about same-sex relationships in India mainstream through Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.” -Ayushmann Khurrana, actor