Ayushmann Khurrana, who continued his box-office juggernaut this year too, says out-of-the-box films — also called ‘the Ayushmann genre’ by many now – will always be his staple 
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 28, 2019)

It won’t be wrong at all to say that he has been on a dream run since 2017. When Bala became actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s seventh consecutive hit, it was clear that he has gone beyond box office numbers and endeared himself to the audience enough to create a genre of his own. As the juggernaut continued in 2019 with Article 15, Dream Girl and Bala, talk of a new ‘Ayushmann genre’ became commonplace. “This year, I had a very wholesome experience [as an actor]. For me, the biggest takeaway is the audience’s love, which is only getting bigger,” says the actor, who has Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Gulabo Sitabo lined up next year. Excerpts:

Since 2017, your dream run seems to be getting better...
The year 2017 was good, 2018 was better and 2019 has been the best so far. And I am really glad as it means I’ve created a certain kind of trust in the audience’s mind, which helps me with better openings for my films, and at the same time they expect something unique out of me. I feel this year saw three films of distinct textures – Bala was middle-of-the-road kind of cinema, Dream Girl had more of a single-screen appeal, Article 15 was a bit ‘multiplex-y’, though we wanted it to reach as many people as possible.

What was the top highlight for you this year?
It started with Article 15, which is the most difficult film – and my most fearless move – of my life, till now. While we were expecting critical acclaim, I’m very glad with its commercial success. I was also surprised with Dream Girl’s acceptance among the multiplex audience since that was the first time I tried to be slapstick and a bit front-footed with my performance. Both were two ends of a spectrum, and that’s why difficult too.

Do you feel more confident now as an actor?
Yes, I do. The best part is I’ve a buffet of choices now. So, I can pick movies and genres. Earlier, I took a lot of risks with first-time directors-producers, which paid off. Now, I’m getting to work with ‘big producers and directors’. I remember after Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2014), I didn’t do anything for a year and waited for the right scripts/directors. Now I’m getting lot of great scripts, and the idea is to get the best of the lot. So, good doesn’t excite me anymore — it has to be great.

How do you view the ‘out-of-the-box’ tag, now also called ‘the Ayushmann genre’ by many?
I am very happy with it. It is overwhelming and flattering. This is my zone and my staple. While people look out for those films, I enjoy doing them. I feel it’s pertinent to attempt the ‘taboo, socially-relevant’ subjects. At the same time, I’ll also make an effort that my ‘other kind of films’ do equally well too. And I’m sure they will also make ₹100 crore and more, maybe next year itself. So, let’s see.

A few days back, you mentioned in an interview that 2019 was an ‘eye opening year’ for you...
It’s been an eye-opener in the sense that I’ve realised people will accept good stories, regardless of the genre. When I said yes to Article 15, I was thinking about the commercial aspect of it, but the kind of acceptance the film got from the audience was unparalleled. Even vis-à-vis Dream Girl, since I have a loyal multiplex audience, I was thinking, ‘I don’t know whether they will accept me doing a commercial song-and-dance laden slapstick comedy’. But they did. So, I guess it’s an eye-opener for me that you just have to give people something unique, entertaining and, at the same time, engaging.

Did you realise that Bala was your seventh hit in a row? Were you keeping track?
Now, you are telling me about it, or else, my PR team updates me about such things but I never thought about it. I am very bad with numbers. Main khud puchta hoon, sometimes, ‘arrey, 6 hai yaa 7 hai (laughs)’. Aise top of mind nahi pata chalta. See, the idea is to just give unique content, which is also value-creating. I feel it can’t just be entertainment; there has to be something deeper which people should think about after getting out of the theatres. For me, it shows that thanks to the content I do, people have built a certain trust around me, and now, the numbers are also showing. Also, it’s not a meteoric, sudden rise. It started in 2017, and I am glad that I am taking baby steps towards success.

In terms of workload, do you, sometimes, feel like you are stretching yourself a bit too much?
That’s why I have taken a four-month break. Also, at this point, I can afford to take this break from films since two of my films are ready for release in 2020. Also, I think, ideally, I should have breaks in between. At the end of the day, we are artistes, and not machines. So, you need to recalibrate, re-energise yourself. So, the idea is to recharge your batteries, live more life, meet people, read books, and work on your different passions so that you are always excited about your core passion — which is, of course acting. That’s what I am doing right now. For four months, I will just travel, meet new people, spend time with family, jam with my band and write poetry. I think that’s very important.

In 2020, you have two upcoming releases. Will there be a third one?
There could be a third film later on in the year. But we are still contemplating [which one it can be]. Ideally, there should be a third film as well next year, maybe towards the end of the year. There is no plan [to have a certain number of films] till the time I’m getting great scripts. I’m okay with three films in a year as well, but not more than that maybe. At the same time, if I am not getting great scripts, I’m fine with doing nothing. In such a case, I won’t do anything and just do my musical events with my band. So, there is no desperation in that sense.

This year, you and your wife Tahira Kashyap also fought through her illness [breast cancer]...
Tahira isn’t just my life partner but a life coach as well. The way she dealt with the illness – with a happy mindset – is commendable. I feel it’s just a mind game. If you take that challenge head on and are excited about living, you can combat any challenge, that’s what she has taught me. I’ve learnt a lot from her and she is an inspiration. She introduced me to Buddhism, which I started to follow right before Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), and things began to change. So, I think I owe it to Tahira as well as Buddhism.

Due to a busy, packed schedule, the musician in you isn’t getting much time and attention. Right?
Unfortunately, my live musical performances have taken a back-seat because, of late, I have been busy with my films. I sang two beautiful, love ballads in Article 15 and Dream Girl. But I didn’t get a chance to perform them in concerts as I’ve not gigged in a while now. But that will happen soon, maybe in January, I will go out with my band. In these four months, [during the break], I will be gigging for sure. As for my singles, last year, there was Chan Kitthan. I am singing in my films, but whenever I get time, I will come out with a new single, maybe, if there is a gap between my two films.