Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
‘I KNOW I’VE BECOME A S TAR BUT DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE IT’
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana says that he approaches all his films as his first to retain innocence
Six years and nearly a dozen films later, actor Ayushmann Khurrana says that his aim is to be consistent with his choices by retaining his innocence towards the craft.
Ayushmann, who made his debut with Vicky Donor (2012), has featured in several slice-oflife films, including Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017). His first thriller Andhadhun, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is the best reviewed film of the year. He has followed it up with the recently released Badhaai Ho, which is garnering positive response as well. “I approach all my films as my first. If you carry that innocence, it reflects in the camera. I know I have become a star but I don’t want to believe it. I want to be that simple,” says the actor.
Ayushmann believes he has learned to trust his intuition when it comes to selecting films. “My acting career has been quite a ride. After Vicky Donor, I gave two-three unsuccessful films and that was a great learning curve. But Dum Laga Ke Haisha onwards it was cool. I learnt so much from all my films, successful or unsuccessful. You start believing in your intuition, your gut feeling. It ultimately depends on the choices you’re taking. Everyone is talented today. Your career graph depends on the choice of scripts, nothing else,” adds the actor. He also believes that the key to being grounded is to surround oneself with people who keep things real. “To maintain the innocence depends on the kind of people you hang out with. I have made friends from the industry but I still hang out with my Chandigarh friends. Your family can keep you grounded, make you keep things real,” he says. The actor says that he is always on the look out for different subjects: “My first aspiration is to be consistent. Atul Kasbekar (photographer and producer) once said I’m like Rahul Dravid of Bollywood, I pick up the right deliveries and hit the sweet spot, but otherwise I am chill and never try too hard.”