Showing posts with label Ayushmann Khurrana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ayushmann Khurrana. Show all posts
Pati Patni Aur Woh Do was tentatively titled Prayagraj Ka Prajapati-Ayushmann Khurrana
8:34 AM
From clutterbreaking cinema to family entertainers, Ayushmann Khurrana reflects on his evolving choices
Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 16, 2026)
His career spans 14 years, and he already has a National Award to his name, apart from the moniker ‘clutter breaker’. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, currently tickling the audience’s funny bone with his latest flick Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (PPAWD), spoke on The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra about his upcoming choices, post-Covid trajectory shift, and more:
Currently, high-end, action, nationalistic-flavour films are trending. It’s said that the era of films keeps changing, and this one’s the current flavour. What do you think is the future of slice-of-life films like yours?
Kisi bhi zamaane mein aaiye, clutter break hona chahiye. I don’t feel like following whatever is working. This has been my genre, of course, but going forward, even I am doing an action film, it will be an action-comedy. I guess whatever interests me or engages me to my core, I go for it rather than thinking about trends or algorithms in cinema.
You bring relatability to the table as an actor. Pati Patni Aur Woh Do has three female leads with you. Is there stress that along with the relatability, people might brand this character a ‘cheater’?
We are not promoting infidelity with this film. In fact, out of all the films in the Pati Patni franchise, only ours has a male lead who doesn’t have a roving eye. He’s loyal to his wife. It’s a comedy of errors; he gets caught in such situations.
You shot in Prayagraj. What was special about the experience?
I had never shot there before this film. In fact, this film was tentatively titled Prayagraj Ka Prajapati! But since Pati Patni Aur Woh has been an iconic franchise since the first film in the 1970s, the producers titled it this. So many films have been based in Kanpur and Varanasi till now, so we thought Prayagraj is the one!
You said recently that failure doesn’t bother you, you are more afraid of making safe but boring films. Can you elaborate on this?
I always wanted to be courageous when it comes to my choices. Courage surpasses talent most of the times. Kabhi kabhi aap mein voh kadam lene ki himmat nahi hoti, jabki aap ke paas talent hota hai. This (PPAWD) is a commercial, safe film. My upcoming films are courageous. I did films like An Action Hero (2022) and Andhadhun (2018). It has to be a mish-mash so that my commercial films can help my other kind of films.
You have Yeh Prem Mol Liya coming up. What’s the status of the shoot, and what’s it like to be on a Sooraj Barjatya film set? A lot of sanskaari vibes?
It’s 90% shot; one song and two scenes are left, which is a maximum of seven days of shoot. It will release on November 27 this year. Jab main Sooraj sir ke set pe jaata hoon toh unke set ko naman karta hoon, touch his feet! It really feels like I have come to a temple. He’s such a spiritual person, very clean-hearted. Unse zyaada sant insaan industry mein koi nahi hai. He’s a purist and goes by his vision, hamesha audience aur fans ko saath mein leke chalte hain. Every actor in his film’s cast is the hero. The last time I did a film like this was Badhaai Ho (2018), jahaan naani se lekar daadi tak, everyone was an important character. We are going back to that. The entire family is the star of the film, and only Sooraj Barjatya can do that.
Are there any actors, too, whose feet you feel like touching as you are blown by their talent?
(Actors) Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan sir, of course we revere them. Among my contemporaries, I really love Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. We have a lot of exciting actors in our industry, but these are the ones I really respect.
When you are home, is there active involvement of your family in your work? Is there advice that you get from your kids, or any suggestion?
I am doing films which cater to family audiences. My daughter Varushka (12) watched the edit of Pati Patni… recently, and she loved it! That’s the barometer — that my kids enjoy my films. It has to reach Gen Alpha also, apart from Millennials and Gen Z. I want to do family films and get them into theatres. The fun of community watch is amazing.
You have done a host of films on taboo subjects — from sperm donation to erectile dysfunction. Is there another taboo which makes you think, ‘Iss pe film banegi toh I would want to work in it’?
I think maine saare taboo topics khatam kar diye hain (laughs). I have worked in so many films based on them. It limits the family audience. I did films on taboo subjects before the Covid pandemic. Even after that, I did Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021) and Doctor G (2022), which didn’t get as much at the box office as I hoped for. After OTT became big, I only looked for films which were for wider audiences. Taboo break se zyaada relatable subjects which people can watch together. Everything was so different before the pandemic; the films I did had tremendous box office uproar. But things changed post-pandemic.
What’s your life mantra?
Courage is bigger than talent. Take risks. Sahi waqt kabhi nahin hota; jab aap karte ho, tabhi sahi waqt hota hai.
Ayushmann Khurrana recalls getting rejected on Indian Idol
11:11 AM
Appearing as a celebrity guest on ‘Indian Idol 16’, Ayushmann Khurrana recalls how he was rejected by the singing reality show in 2006
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 16, 2026)
Many remember Ayushmann Khurrana’s first brush with fame when he won the second season of Roadies in 2005. But few remember that in 2006, he had also participated in Indian Idol 2. Life came full circle for the actor, who recently taped an episode of Indian Idol 16, on which he served as a celebrity guest along with his Pati Patni Aur Woh Do co-stars Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi.
During the shoot, contestant Manraj Veer reminded Khurrana that his journey began on this very stage. That led the actor down memory lane as he recalled travelling from Chandigarh for the show. “I was ousted in the second round itself. But what I found beautiful was that I was surrounded by many singers, lyricists, and musicians. In those days, we didn’t have apps to do riyaaz on; people did their riyaaz in various ways. They would inspire me,” he recalled.
Khurrana also told Helen, who was present on the show, that his mother was from Myanmar, like her. “Her biggest pride is that Helen ji is also from there. She had taught us a rhyme as children, and I thought I would recite it to Helen ji when I met her,” said the actor on stage.
Never before have I made a film that legitimizes infidelity-Mudassar Aziz
10:27 AM
Rubbishing chatter that ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ promotes infidelity, director Mudassar Aziz insists women in his films always have agency and drive narratives
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 11, 2026)
Soon after Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’s trailer dropped online, an unexpected discourse surrounded director Mudassar Aziz — that his movies normalise infidelity. To him, the dialogue is welcome, as long as it comes from a place of fairness. “This is my seventh film. Never before have I made a film that legitimizes infidelity,” began Aziz.
The May 15 release revolves around Ayushmann Khurrana’s character’s dalliances with two women, portrayed by Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh, while his wife grows suspicious. Pointing to his body of work, Aziz said that he feels misunderstood when such criticism comes up.
“Both Ayushmann and I have a history of doing films that don’t approach gender politics in a skewed way. In Pati Patni Aur Woh [2019], the husband is faced with the consequences of his actions when his wife and girlfriend join forces. In Happy Bhag Jayegi [2016], I created a protagonist who chooses her partner. Women in my films have always had agency. They are never passive recipients of male behaviour.” For him, the film’s emotional core doesn’t lie in betrayal.
It took the director some time to convince Khurrana. Aziz shared, “We had three rounds of narrations. After the first time, Ayushmann said he wanted to hear it again. Before the third narration was over, he was having so much fun that he said, ‘Let’s do it.’ He comes with a history of subjects that are difficult. He is never afraid of complicated emotional space.”
Notes from my friend
Few Hindi movies have made an impact at the box office in the post-pandemic landscape. According to Mudassar Aziz, the audience today seeks conviction over all else — a lesson he learnt from his friend, filmmaker Mohit Suri. Aziz shared, “Nobody expected ‘Saiyaara’ [2025] to blow up the way it did, but Mohit believed in it completely. He recently said in an interview that when he was making films with conviction, commerce followed. But when he started chasing the latter, he lost both.”
Why does audience care about the opening of a film?-Bhumi Pednekar
9:34 AM
Actor Bhumi Satish Pednekkar urges support for small films beyond box office numbers
Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 14, 2026)
Actor Bhumi Satish Pednekkar’s clarity of thought is refreshing in a world of rehearsed answers by celebrities. In the latest episode of The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra, she talks about her journey, troll culture and urges fans to support low budget films.
With audiences turning up to theatres only for big films, how can small stories win them back?
Small and medium-sized films are dwindling. Friday ko collections aane shuru ho jaate hain aur ek judgement de diya jata hai ki iss film ki opening nahin lagi. Agar nahin lagi toh kya it’s not a film that’s worthy of being given a shot?... I have people around me saying ‘haan lekin iski opening nahin lagi hai na’. I’m like why do you all care? This is not for you. This is for the business and industry people. Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) had opened at Rs. 1 crore! Agar tab yeh systems hote toh na mera, na Ayushmann Khurrana, na Rajkummar Rao, na Taapsee Pannu, kisi ke career nahi hote. I really feel bad. These are the films that actually change the society. Har cheez number ho gayi hai ab. We need to encourage small and medium sized films and that will only happen if we stop labelling them.
What’s that one thing you would look for in a role? What’s a prerequisite?
I don’t want to do any character that doesn’t have agency. In my last two pieces of work, The Royals and Daldal, both my characters had agency. I will never play a girl who conforms to all the stereotypes or all the conditioning that every other woman is trying to fight. I don’t have a problem playing a grey character or villain. If I am part of a magnum opus, and there are four scenes, but those scenes where I get to show something that I’ve never done, I will do it. It is not about the size of the role; it is about the impact.
Bhumi khud ye meaningful kahaaniyaan, cause-driven kahaaniyan dhund leti hai, ya ye kahaniyan Bhumi ko dhund leti hain?
This is just a part of me. My art has a lot of advocacy, and I as a person do, too. I am lucky that my first film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) taught me that cinema has a lot of power if you know how to use it well. Main jis tarah ke parivar mein badi hui hoon wahan pe maine hamesha dekha hai mere mother, father ko bahut community service karte hue. I was always taught ‘nation first, community first’. I think these learnings somehow reflect in my films. I have a lot of activism in me, and a lot of fun was made of it at one point.
What’s one similarity and one difference between the Bhumi of Dum Laga Ke Haisha and the Bhumi in Daldal today?
When I started my career, there was a certain innocence in that Bhumi that isn’t there today. A lot of that also comes with just spending these many years working. Agar kisi bhi profession mein hoti life, aapke experiences ek amount of hardening, and dar har insaan mein paida kar dete hain. The girl in Daldal is more mature. The similarity is that both are fearless. I was fearless then, and I am that now, too.
You’ve gone on record to say that you felt that it was a creative, emotional depletion that happened, which is why you took a break before Daldal. Would you want to elaborate on the break?
I felt it coming last year after shooting Daldal and a film. I couldn’t gather the strength to take that break. We are always told that, as a woman, how can you take a break? The clock is ticking, aur aapko yeh lag raha hai ki oh my God, now you know I am growing older… because this is your conditioning. I was very scared. I wasn’t able to give myself to acting the way I used to, maybe a little earlier. And it’s not like meri mehnat mein ya meri koshish mein koi kami thi. I felt depleted emotionally. I had seen a lot of struggle before I became an actor... I think once you become an actor, your life becomes monotonous in many ways because you are only working. You are going from one film set to another. If as an artiste I have nothing left to take from, ek ghada hota hai experiences ka, jo as an artiste aap apni performance mein daalte hain, wahi deplete ho gaya tha. Ek dum se vanilla ho gayi thi meri life, and I wanted to change that. I was an uninhibited actor, kyunki main kabhi race mein thi hi nahin. Main toh khud ki jagah bana rahi thi aur main race mein kab jud gayi, mujhe pata hi nahin chala. And that started affecting my mental health, everything.
Burnout is a reality, no matter which sector or age. What advice would you have, now that you’ve come back healed?
I have always been a planner. A lot of things that have happened in my life have been magic, and it has been God’s blessings. But I’ve always believed that you need to have a larger vision about what your life is. Even if you don’t have solid goals, there’s a larger vision, right? If you know what the next decade of your life is gonna look like and you feel that you need more skill, you need more time, or you just want to do nothing, that is also okay. You don’t owe anybody an explanation, nobody but yourself.
I think the industry needs to come together to stand up with each other when one sees negativity. It happened with actor Arjun Kapoor. So how do you keep yourself away from it?
I feel that people have forgotten ki by the end of it hum insaan hain. You can’t dehumanize a person you watch on screen. And all I want to say is that it’s easier to say, ‘It does not affect me’. It affects every one of us. How can it not? This is becoming a bit of a sickness.
I feel bad for all of these people who have so much negativity to say because there have been times where I have gone to this wormhole, and I would see it’s a woman who has pictures with her daughters. And I was like, ‘The way you are objectifying other women on social media, what if your daughter were to be objectified like that?’ It’s just not okay.
I would go a step further and say that we need strict laws against this, because this is not trolling; this is bullying. It is only a matter of time before a big incident happens, and then it will get nasty. Like, you know, you literally are telling people that, ‘I hope you die.’ What sort of darkness are you living in? What sort of sickness is here?
Ayushmann Khurrana-Sara Ali Khan's spy comedy nears completion; makers shoots a patriotic song
10:28 AM
Sources say Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s spy comedy, which was stalled earlier, is nearing completion; leads recently shot an Independence Day celebration song
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 13, 2026)
In January, mid-day reported that Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s yet-untitled spy comedy was in limbo ever since the first schedule was concluded in 2024 (Intermission comes before the film, Jan 20). Things appear to have swiftly progressed on the Karan Johar and Guneet Monga production in the last two months. It has been learnt that the leads shot an extensive schedule in Mumbai in February, including a massive song sequence.
Originally, first-time director Aakash Kaushik wanted to film the song, titled ‘Jai Hind’, in real locations in Delhi and Mumbai. However, when that didn’t materialize, the makers decided to shoot it on a set at Madh Island in Mumbai.
A source told mid-day, “‘Jai Hind’ is set against the Independence Day celebration that happens in Delhi. More than 700 dancers and junior artistes were roped in for the song that depicts the Independence Day parade. Karan and Guneet felt that a colourful, patriotic song, mounted on a grand scale, would add to the spy comedy’s appeal. It appears at a critical juncture in the movie. Ayushmann and Sara shot the track in two days.”
We’ve heard that the unit has an end-credit number to be filmed before Kaushik can call it a wrap on the project. The makers are apparently eyeing a mid-2026 release.
Swanand Kirkire joins Sooraj Barjatya’s next directorial Yeh Prem Mol Liya
4:05 PM
Renuka Vyavahare (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 20, 2026)
Acclaimed lyricist, singer, actor and writer Swanand Kirkire is all set to be a part of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s upcoming romantic family drama Yeh Prem Mol Liya. Headlined by Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari Wagh, the film marks Barjatya’s much-anticipated return to the traditional romance and family storytelling space that he is celebrated for.
While details of Swanand Kirkire’s character are being kept tightly under wraps, sources close to the production reveal that he plays a very interesting and pivotal role in the narrative one that adds emotional weight and texture to the film’s core storyline.
Swanand told us, “Working with Sooraj ji feels like coming home to a certain kind of storytelling that shaped many of us as audiences. His films have always celebrated love not just between two people, but within families, across generations, in quiet gestures and unspoken understanding. When I heard the world of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, I was deeply moved by its emotional simplicity and sincerity. What I love about Sooraj ji’s writing is that even the silences carry meaning. There is dignity, restraint and warmth in the way he builds relationships on screen. As an actor, that is both challenging and fulfilling because you are required to underplay and yet remain emotionally present."
He continues, "Being part of a Rajshri film carries its own legacy. There’s a certain purity and belief in goodness that the banner represents, and to collaborate with a team that values emotional honesty over spectacle is incredibly refreshing. Sharing the screen with Ayushmann and Sharvari has also been a beautiful experience they both bring such individuality and sensitivity to their craft."
With production underway, Yeh Prem Mol Liya is shaping up to be one of the most awaited romantic family dramas of 2026, blending nostalgia with contemporary emotion under Sooraj Barjatya’s lens.
Karan Johar sets the record straight on Ayushmann Khurrana-Sara Ali Khan film
3:30 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 22, 2026)
Tuesday’s rumour mill had its newest target: Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s upcoming untitled action-comedy, with reports claiming the film had hit a production roadblock after beginning shoot in 2024, and that its release plans were now uncertain. However, filmmaker Karan Johar has firmly denied the claims in an exclusive chat with HT City.
As per buzz, the shoot of the film, backed by Dharma Productions and filmmaker Guneet Monga Kapoor’s Sikhya Entertainment, had been stuck for a while, with the release allegedly pushed beyond its initial 2026 plan. There was also speculation around whether the project would head to theatres or take the OTT route.
Reacting to the chatter, Johar dismisses it outright: “This is not true. We have 10 days of shoot left, and we are releasing the film theatrically in 2026.”
Director Aakash Kaushik also maintains that the project is very much on track and nearing completion.
Shooting of Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan's action comedy has been halted since 2024; release in limbo
8:54 AM
Sources say Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan-led action comedy’s shoot has been halted since late 2024, owing to uncertainty over its release model
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 20, 2026)
Had things gone as planned, Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan would have been gearing up for the release of their yet-untitled action comedy now. Instead, mid-day has learnt that the film, co-produced by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, has been in limbo since its first schedule concluded in late 2024.
A source shared, “It is a quirky, fun story. Everything was on track when the team began shooting the first schedule mid-2024 in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. But after that, the movie, which was to release in the first half of 2026, has been stuck for over a year. The actors and the crew are keen to resume filming, but there’s no clarity on when the project will return to floors.”
So, what exactly is blocking debutant Aakash Kaushik’s directorial venture? Another insider revealed that the makers are apparently indecisive about the release model of the film, which was initially conceived of as a theatrical offering.
“There have been discussions about whether it should take the web route and be released as an OTT original. The talks have been going on for months, while the shoot has been on hold,” said the insider.
Anand Pandit to remake Chaniya Toli; also plans Southern remakes
11:18 PM
Producer Anand Pandit on planning Hindi and South adaptations of ‘Chaniya Toli’, with Pratik Gandhi, Rajkummar Rao, and Ayushmann Khurrana on his wish list
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 3, 2026)
Pratik Gandhi, Rajkummar Rao or Ayushmann Khurrana — producer Anand Pandit is spoilt for choice. He has three candidates in mind to headline the Hindi adaptation of his hit Gujarati film Chaniya Toli (2025), which released last Diwali. While the Hindi adaptation is in the works, the producer also plans to make versions in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
Directed by Jay Bodas and Parth Trivedi, Chaniya Toli revolves around a teacher who enlists the help of seven women to rob a regional bank and deliver his own version of justice against corruption.
“I have Pratik Gandhi, Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana on my wishlist as all three are excellent actors and suit the role of the teacher,” begins Pandit, adding that scripting for the Hindi version is underway.
“We will finalize a director from the Hindi film industry after [the script is ready]. We are also exploring the opportunity of making it in four South languages with a South star and director. Despite being an independent production, [we may join hands] with somebody. It is the first time that a Gujarati film of mine is being remade in Hindi and other languages,” he smiles.
The film, which tackles middle-class financial woes, will resonate with audiences across regions, believes Pandit. “The story is universal. A bank heist can be shown in any language. It is loosely inspired from a true story in the 1970s when farmers faced a massive drought in Gujarat. While localised banks lent money to the farmers, [they charged huge interest rates].”
While he hopes to cast an established actor as the mathematics teacher, the seven women in the heist gang will be fresh faces — “from 20-year-olds to a 70-year-old daadi who will be an expert in some field”. “I plan to cast seven new faces from across India for the female roles. We took unknown faces but good female actors even in Chaniya Toli. Our hero is the story; the social message will be a suspense,” he concludes.
Sooraj Barjatya’s hero is always a green flag-Ayushmann Khurrana
9:46 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 17, 2025)
A good old family drama was missing from Ayushmann Khurrana’s filmography even as he attempted diverse genres. Now the actor is doing one with the best in business, Sooraj Barjatya. Having recently completed the first schedule of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, he is deeply impressed by the filmmaker’s humility.
“Sooraj sir is one of the most successful directors, but he’s simple and hard-working. He works like a nerd, and that inspires me the most,” said the actor.
Stepping into the role of Prem is a big feat. But to Khurrana, what’s noteworthy is that the role is at odds with the characters he gravitates towards.
He explained, “The best part of a Sooraj Barjatya film is that the hero is always a quintessential green flag. I usually love portraying characters who are flawed and have an arc, but here, the entire family is a green flag.”
In 2025, Khurrana had a sole release in Thamma. The actor will open 2026 with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. He realises that the two offerings are a departure from the out-of-the-box films he has been known for — from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) to Andhadhun (2018).
“The reason I’m doing films like Thamma and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for a wider audience is because I also want to do films like Andhadhun and Article 15 [2019]. I believe An Action Hero [2022] could have done better. So, I’m mixing up genres — commercial films with projects that are unique. You have to gain the audience’s faith. That’s what I tried to build with Dream Girl 2 [2023] and Thamma. That will get translated to my other films as well.”
Ayushmann Khurrana, Sooraj Barjatya kick off 60-day start-to-finish shoot for Yeh Prem Mol Liya
8:18 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 9, 2025)
Sooraj Barjatya has plunged straight into his next directorial venture with Ayushmann Khurrana — and he is wasting no time. The film, originally titled Prem Ki Shaadi, is now called Yeh Prem Mol Liya. It went on floors on November 1, and the team has already wrapped a week-long song shoot in Kandivli. The cast and crew will now begin a 60-day start-to-finish schedule.
The next leg, beginning this week at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai, is designed to film most of the drama and family sequences, according to sources from the production house. Intricately detailed indoor sets have been constructed across three floors of the studio.
“The team plans to wrap up the shoot by January 2026. Almost 80 per cent of the film will be completed in Mehboob, with a few outdoor patch portions. The idea is to maintain the creative continuity and shoot the emotional graph of the story in one flow,” reveals a crew member.
The first song, filmed over seven days, featured the lead cast, a large ensemble, and 200 background dancers. “The song was choreographed in true Barjatya fashion. It sets the tone for the film’s world and introduces the leads in a big, joyous way,” says an insider from the unit.
Led by Khurrana, Yeh Prem Mol Liya features Sharvari as the leading lady, with Anupam Kher, Seema Pahwa, and Supriya Pathak in pivotal roles. Unlike his previous films, Barjatya is said to be exploring a more contemporary take on love and relationships with this romantic family drama.
We want to unfold betaal vs werewolf showdown in most fun, mightiest way possible-Aditya Sarpotdar
9:00 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 29, 2025)
Vampires, in director Aditya Sarpotdar’s mind, were an out-and-out Western concept. Think biting cold, dark nights, Gothic architecture, all lending mood to the legend. But he was in for a surprise. “When we were researching, we realised that the idea of betaals preceded the concept of vampires. There are several articles referencing how the Western vampire might have been an offshoot of the betaal idea from the Indian subcontinent,” he shares. That seeded the idea of his vampire dramedy, Thamma.
The Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer is the latest addition to the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). As he set out to create an Indian world of vampires, Sarpotdar took inspiration from the classic Hindi TV serial, Vikram Aur Betaal.
“Betaal there was quirky, smart, and cunning. He used to pose riddles to Vikram, then let out a distinct laugh and disappear. Nawaz’s character is, in many ways, modelled on that version. He is mischievous, unpredictable, and a bit mad,” he says.
With creator Amar Kaushik and writer Niren Bhatt, Sarpotdar — who previously made the horror comedy, Munjya (2024) — slowly crafted Thamma’s world. The director remembers the first moment he felt this “madness” truly come alive on set. It was during a night shoot at Film City in Goregaon.
Sarpotdar says, “We were shooting in our massive Betaal World set at Film City. When the actors put on their fangs and began performing the physicality of betaals, it felt crazy. After a few nights, it felt like that was where we belonged.”
When it came to casting, the first betaal Sarpotdar finalized was Mandanna. She cracked the first look test, he remembers. “In the look test, when she came out in costume and we gave her the fangs, the first pose she struck was perfect — this without even a brief. There was a certain dread and coldness, yet so much likeability. The way she has used her eyes and body to express that raw, jungle-like quality was exactly what the character needed.”
As much as fans loved the new characters in the MHCU, they equally loved seeing an old resident of the cinematic universe — Varun Dhawan aka Bhediya. A crossover between the MHCU films is a given. In Thamma, it materialised as a crucial Khurrana-versus-Dhawan fight sequence. The director breaks it down saying,
“In the script, we always had the Bhediya versus Thamma face-off planned. Varun does action very well, and Ayushmann has a high-energy style. They had to go at each other at a Batman-Superman level. Varun’s Bhediya is extremely loved, so his entry had to be kickass — that whistle-worthy slow-motion reveal. Then there’s the werewolf’s reveal. Both are designed as big moments.”
With the MHCU being populated by Stree and her rival Sarkata, werewolves, and now vampires, where is this world headed next?
The director smiles, “A lot of people feel there is huge potential for this universe to unfold further. After Stree, Bhediya, and now Thamma, we’re holding on to one wild card — a massive betaal versus werewolf showdown. The animosity between the two has been set up, and when they finally go at each other, it’s going to be a battle of two big superheroes. We want it to unfold in the most fun and mightiest way possible.”
Fans, head to Reddit right now!
What if we told you that ‘Thamma’ creator Amar Kaushik, writer Niren Bhatt, and director Aditya Sarpotdar go regularly to online forums and glean fan theories? “All three of us love reading fan theories,” laughs Sarpotdar, before adding that the practice inspires them to make the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe richer.
“We go on forums anonymously, read discussions about our films, and bring those ideas back to the drawing board. We all share this mindset of creating something crazier, something that nobody has ever seen before.”
North vs South mindset isn't the right step forward-Ayushmann Khurrana
8:06 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2025)
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was recently in Ooty, shooting for Thama (the forthcoming film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe), and spoke to us about his experience filming for the first time in Tamil Nadu, why there shouldn’t be a north vs. south mindset in the film industry, on Hindi cinema’s evolution in the post-pandemic era and more…
Have the lines between the north and the south film industries blurred of late?
The north vs. south mindset isn’t the right step forward for the Indian film industry. We’re moving towards a more unified Indian film industry. It’s an exciting time to be an actor, as collaboration is becoming the cornerstone for change. We saw what Atlee did with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and what Nag Ashwin did by bringing together Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan sir in one frame! These projects are bringing together the best of both worlds!
Your films like Vicky Donor Article 15, Andhaadhun and Badhaai Ho have been remade in Tamil. Have you seen any of these? What did you think about them?
I have seen some of the remakes, but I can definitely say that these films being remade in the South is definitely a moment of incredible appreciation for me as an artiste. There is no bigger validation than seeing my films crossing over and entertaining people across my country.
Any south film that you’d love to remake?
I’m not really a believer of remaking films. I feel once a film is made, we should let that be. It’s my personal choice to not look for remakes and keep an eye on new and unique concepts that people have never seen me in before. I’m sure there are a lot of films that could be remade in Hindi, but I would love to do original content, like how I’ve been doing so far.
You’re working with Rashmika Mandanna, who is from the south. Do you see any difference between working with an artiste from the south vis-à-vis someone from Bollywood?
Working with Rashmika has been a delight. She brings a fresh energy to the set, which is needed when you have hectic shoot days. She ensures she knows all the nuances of her scene before she steps on set. Her work ethic is incredible. In terms of the acting process, every actor has a different process and that is not restricted to the industry they come from — but what remains constant is the commitment to the craft.
These days, we routinely hear that Hindi cinema is no longer the force it used to be. Do you think there’s truth in this opinion?
Hindi cinema delivered all-time blockbusters with Pathaan, Jawan, and Animal in a span of 12 months. We also had Stree 2 and Chhaava recently. I guess that answers the question! Every industry goes through its churn, and Hindi cinema, like any industry, is going through an evolution where it will shape a new identity in a post-pandemic world.
What’s your take on the notion that the films that were successful before COVID, especially the ones revolving around middleclass lives, aren’t theatre-friendly anymore?
The pandemic has precipitated a change in content viewing patterns. No one wants to watch something that’s been seen before or, for lack of a better word, vanilla. Anything mediocre won’t work anymore. To me, that’s exciting because it gets us out of our comfort zone. Look at Laapataa Ladies, 12th Fail, The Kerala Story, Munjya or Sita Ramam — these were rooted stories, not hugely budgeted extravaganzas, and they still found their audience. So, if the story hits home, people will show up.
You have an identity as a representative of the middle-class man. Has this image narrowed the stories that come to you?
I’ve found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It’s my personal ambition to be very original. A good film will bring in audiences, and I try to look for the best scripts that our industry is making. In Thama, the audience will see me in a different avatar yet find the quirk that they see in my movies, which has become my calling card!
On his experience shooting in Ooty...
Ooty provided the perfect backdrop for Thama. Every time you turn your head, you see greenery and mountains covered with clouds. This is also the first film I have shot in Tamil Nadu. I have always been a fan of the hospitality and culture of the state. We had a tight schedule, so I didn’t get time to visit popular spots in Ooty. However, I had good local cuisine. I can’t wait to return and visit the place properly.
Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna shoot final leg of vampire comedy Thama in Ooty
10:21 AM
Sources say Thama’s cast shooting the final schedule in Ooty; climax involving vampires, and the backstory of Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character to be filmed in this leg
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 5, 2025)
Dark nights, vampires, and folk tales have been a part of Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s world for the past three months as they shot Thama. Now, the finish line is well within their sight. We’ve heard that director Aditya Sarpotdar began the vampire comedy’s last leg in Ooty on April 28. On the cards is a month-long schedule in the hill station and other parts of the Nilgiri forest in Tamil Nadu before Sarpotdar calls it a wrap on May 25.
The ongoing schedule could be the most important part as the unit will film the climax. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who apparently plays a vampire in the movie, is expected to join the shoot in the coming weeks.
A source reveals, “Starting April 28, Ayushmann and Rashmika filmed their portions in the forests of Ooty. They are currently filming in and around Doddabetta Peak. In this leg, the director will shoot some portions of the love story between the leads. After Nawazuddin joins the unit in the third week of May, they will shoot the backstory of how he became a vampire, and the climax.”
After this schedule is wrapped up by May 25, only two songs will remain to be shot before the movie hits the theatres this Diwali.
Thama is set in two timelines. The narrative moves between the present, in which Khurrana’s character is shown as a historian studying how vampires came to exist in Indian folklore, and the past that takes viewers to the ancient city of Vijayanagar.
The source adds, “An unrequited love story, rooted in the past, connects the two timelines. The title has been inspired by Ashwatthama, who was said to be immortal. The movie blends folklore, legends, and mythology.”
While Thama had a brief first schedule in December 2024, the director resumed full-fledged work in February, with the cast shooting in Delhi and Mumbai throughout March and April.
I was just watching Vicky Donor and I was thinking, 'did I make this film?'-Shoojit Sircar
8:02 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 28, 2025)
For Shoojit Sircar, the re-release of Vicky Donor is not just a moment of nostalgia - it’s an emotional ride. "I can't control my excitement as a director, that the film is re-releasing," he says with disbelief and joy. "This thought itself is addictive to me because aisa hua nahi hai. I’m in awe. Aise hota nahi hai normally that a film is re-releasing. For a director and a technician, and for everybody associated with the film, the film coming on the big screen is like a boon. I'm over-excited, not excited. I'm over-excited," he says.
Thirteen years later, the humour in Vicky Donor still lands, the warmth is still felt - but what remains for him as a director when he returns to it now? He says, "Somehow, it doesn’t feel like a 13-year-old film. It just feels like - Abhi yaar, kuch saal pehle hi banaya hai. It doesn’t feel 13–14 years have gone by."
In conversation, he walked us back through the film - what it was, what it became, and the nostalgia of seeing it again.
'I was just watching the film and I was thinking - did I make this film?
Shoojit Sircar watched the film again while preparing for the re-release, and says it stirred more than just excitement. He says, "I was just watching the film and I was thinking - did I make this film? Am I the same person I made this film? I was really amazed." he says.
Talking about the cast, he says, "Such an amazing cast, such amazing performances, such exuberance in their performances. There's so much joy," he says, crediting the film’s energy to the team behind it.
"The way Juhi wrote the film, the way Ayushmann came and the way my friend Ronnie came to produce the film, the way Annu Kapoor came, Yami was cast, Dolly ji and Biji came, and the songs. The entire thing - I think ho gaya hoga. Ho jata hai na kabhi kabhi," he adds.
'After Vicky Donor, a question came up in conversations - are you a Punjabi?'
Shoojit Sircar shares that he hadn’t anticipated the film’s success. He says,"Three things happened. The film became quite a talk of the town, which I didn't expect. I was really scared when the film was released because I thought this film is not a regular subject to deal with."
The film on sperm donation, touched on a taboo subject. He adds, "Second, a lot of conversations came up tha - are you a Punjabi? That question came up - 'how do you know Punjabi, how do you know Punjabi culture so well?"
He reveals, "Then I tell people that I have spent time in Delhi, I have so many Punjabi friends. Somewhere I'm a ghost Sardar. Even after being a Bengali, somewhere there is a lot of punjabiyat in me."
The cultural richness of Delhi - particularly the Punjabiyat of Lajpat Nagar - flowed into the film naturally. “Those little things that we picked up in the Punjabiyat of Delhi, especially among Delhi Punjabis and Lajpat Nagar. All my friends are from there. And they actually got married to a girl from CR Park, so that has happened. If we actually start showing culture clashes (in movies), it can be much bizarre than this. We have shown it in a very conservative way (in Vicky Donor), but actually mein toh abuses aa jayenge, gaali-galauj aa jayega.”
He says, "Third was Dolly ji and Biji drinking together. That one scene was talked about a lot - how beautifully Juhi had written it, and what the two of them brought to it. I often look back at that scene - Will I be able to pull off that scene today or not? I think we all go through everyday drills. But at the end of the day there is some kind of warmth in relationships that also exists."
'If we actually start showing culture clashes (in movies), it can be much more bizarre than this'
That cultural clash in Vicky Donor - between the Punjabi and Bengali families, especially the wedding scene really stuck with people. The ‘Rum rum whiskey’ has become a go-to track on reels.
Talking about the scene where the families meet, he says, "What Jayanto Da (who played Yami Gautam's character's father) has done – and between him and Dolly ji and Ayushmann and Pishi (Swaroopa Das) - she is too good. I think what happened there in that room that day was amazing. Jayanto Da has actually lived in CR Park in Delhi. He knew that elite Bengali – talking about culture."
He says that the cultural contrast between Biji (Kamlesh Gill) and Dolly Ahluwalia on one side, and the Bengali family on the other, required no forced staging. "It was naturally flowing because Dolly ji and Biji were as frivolous as they could be. They were just talking. When we were writing the character of Dolly ji, we told her – we are writing you. I think that cultural clash, we live with that. Even in Bengal, and when I talk about Punjabi, there is an understanding, love, criticism – everything. You can understand when a Bengali girl is married to a Punjabi, and in this kind of marriage discussion, this is just evident," he says.
'Lajpat Nagar is in my blood'
In Lajpat Nagar, almost every house has a biji and Dolly ji - small houses, interconnected terraces. Vicky Donor took out Lajpat Nagar from Delhi and made it a city in itself in Hindi movies. How did he create that identity for Lajpat Nagar.
Shoojit Sircar recalls his good old Lajpat days, "Lajpat Nagar ke chhole kulche, chhole bhature and all the garment shops, all the ladies being there for that salwar and dupatta shopping. My school was KV, Andrews Ganj, a short walk away. From my school days, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday I used to spend in Lajpat Nagar."
During his theatre days, he would frequent the area with friends, jamming, writing at Piyush Mishra's place in Lajpat Nagar. “I'm a south Delhi boy. My upbringing was in CR Park and in other parts of Delhi, but Lajpat Nagar never left me. I knew every house there. 75 gaj wala ghar hota tha wahan pe – chhota se entrance, straight lamba sa. Then there was Nirula’s below the flyover – so Lajpat Nagar never left me. Lajpat Nagar is in my blood.” (laughs)
The writer of Vicky Donor, Juhi Chaturvedi, also lived there. “Lajpat Nagar and Connaught Place – I don't think I will ever forget Lajpat Nagar,” he says. Back then, many of his friends from Lajpat Nagar were just starting out. “Some have become actors, writers, directors, some big producers. Lajpat Nagar is a city in itself.”
The interiors for the film were shot in Rajouri Garden. “We actually shot in Rajouri Garden. We shot exteriors in Lajpat Nagar and we shot interiors somewhere in Rajouri Garden because there are many parts of the city that actually look like Lajpat Nagar.”
He says glimpses of Delhi can be found across his work - in Piku, October, and beyond. “You will get a reflection of Delhi in all my films.”
'Vicky of Vicky Donor is so much Ayushmann than Ayushmann being Ayushmann'
In an interview, Naveen Kasturia said that when Vicky Donor came out, he would tell people, ‘This is my story,’ because he identified so strongly with Ayushmann’s character as he is also from Lajpat Nagar.
How did Shoojit Sircar create such a Lajpat Nagar boy? Shoojit Sircar says, "The character of Vicky that we created - he knows jugaad, he knows where to get his things done, but he is clueless about his life. Some kind of jugaad work he will do and he will manage."
And then there’s Ayushmann Khurrana - for whom Vicky Donor was a breakout. He says,“Ayushmann will always be known as Ayushmann for Vicky Donor. I had a very strong feeling about it.”
What stood out, Shoojit Sircar says, was the sensitivity of his performance. “It’s not just the loud Vicky that he played, but it's his delicate performance. Vicky of Vicky Donor is so much Ayushmann than Ayushmann being Ayushmann, I would say."
He remembers Ayushmann once telling him - ‘Dada, that will always be there. I’m also doing a lot of films that seem inspired from Vicky Donor.’
"Back home and recovering": Tahira Kashyap Khurrana shares update after cancer relapse
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 11, 2025)
Filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana shared a health update on Instagram on Wednesday, writing that she is “Back home and recovering” after a fresh round of treatment. This update comes after her breast cancer relapsed.
The 42-year-old also thanked her fans and friends for their love and prayers, writing in the caption of the post, “I know some of you who are praying and so many whom I don’t know and yet I receive all your goodness with grace, similarly some of you know me and others might not but I send all my gratitude to all of you. And when such a connection is made which is beyond actual relationship it’s called Humanity which is the highest form of spirituality.”
Several celebrities extended support in the comments section. Mandira Bedi wrote, “I’m saying a prayer for you every day,” Rajkummar Rao commented, “The strongest girl ever. Sending lots of love to you Tahira”, and Twinkle Khanna sent her a “big hug”.
Her husband, Ayushmann Khurrana, brother-in-law Aparshakti Khurana, and colleagues Hina Khan, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Bhumi Pednekar dropped heart emojis.
Tahira was first diagnosed in 2018, after which she underwent chemotherapy and mastectomy.
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s cancer relapses after 7 years
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 8, 2025)
Filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has revealed that her breast cancer has relapsed for the second time. The 42-year-old penned a note (see inset) on Instagram on Monday morning, speaking about battling cancer again after seven years.
Tahira, who is married to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, captioned the post, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life becomes too generous and throws them again at you, you squeeze them calmly into your favourite kala khatta drink and sip it with all the good intentions. Because for one it’s a better drink and two you know you will give it your best once again.”
Highlighting that it was World Health Day (April 7) when she got the news, Tahira credited regular mammograms for early detection this time around. Ayushmann commented, “My hero.” Actor Sonali Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer in 2018 and became cancer-free in 2021, also expressed support: “No words baby! Just sending love strength and prayers (sic).”
Tahira was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, undergoing mastectomy and chemotherapy. She was vocal about the treatment throughout its course, sharing regular updates on social media for her fans.
Team of Ayushmann Khurrana's Thama resume shoot as Rashmika Mandanna recovers from leg injury
8:23 AM
Following an unforeseen break of over a month due to Rashmika Mandanna’s injury, Thama unit resumes shooting in Mumbai; vampire comedy to be wrapped up by May
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 5, 2025)
January dealt a blow to Rashmika Mandanna, who sustained a leg injury. Result? The Delhi shoot of Thama with Ayushmann Khurrana and Mandanna had to be called off midway. Last week, after a one-and-a-half-month break, director Aditya Sarpotdar resumed the vampire comedy’s shoot in Mumbai.
Naturally, things have been sped up to make up for lost time. The original plan was to have a straight shoot from January. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays the antagonist, was to join the unit in Ooty in February. Now, the plan has been reworked.
A source reveals, “The lead actors, along with Paresh Rawal, are currently shooting at real locations in the city. On March 27, the cast and crew will move to Film City, where sets reflecting Delhi houses and streets have been built. The sequences that were earmarked for Delhi will be filmed here instead. Nawazuddin will join the proceedings then. The director is aiming for a Diwali release. After wrapping up the Mumbai leg by late April, the unit will be Ooty-bound by May. They will film the required portions in the Nilgiri forest and wrap up the project by May-end.”
While it was known that Thama, the latest instalment in producer Dinesh Vijan’s horror comedy universe, is set in two timelines, it has now come to light that the vampire comedy has a strong love story at its crux.
“Through a central character, Thama explores unrequited love. Though set in present-day Delhi where Ayushmann is a historian, the narrative is laced with flashbacks that take viewers to the ancient city of Vijayanagar, where the love story begins,” adds the source.
I cannot have Salman Khan do a film like Hum Aapke Hain Koun again-Sooraj Barjatya
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Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya initially planned to work on Prem Ki Shaadi with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, but sources claim the project has been put on hold
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 23, 2025)
Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya share a successful partnership, having delivered several hits together. Nearly a decade has passed since their last collaboration, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). They initially planned to work on Prem Ki Shaadi, but sources claim the project has been put on hold. Instead, Barjatya is now developing another film with Khan.
“The film has been pushed a little because, with Salman, I need a subject that is age-appropriate. The story has to fit him correctly; I cannot have him do [a film like] Hum Aapke Hain Koun [1994] again,” says Barjatya.
He explains that Khan has a vast fan base eager to see him in roles that suit him. “It’s not fair to anyone. I have to showcase a love story that suits him. We have cracked the story. It is taking me some time. Before that, I’ll make another story,” he shares.
Rumours suggest that Barjatya is planning a film with Ayushmann Khurrana. When asked to confirm, he says, “I cannot say anything. I will make the announcement next month.”
From 9 pm to 12:30 am and from 5 am to 9 am, I am pushing Anuja-Guneet Monga
8:46 AM
With Anuja shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars, executive producer Guneet Monga on how she is raising funds to ensure that the short film makes it to the nominations
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 29, 2024)
Guneet Monga Kapoor couldn’t have asked for a better end to 2024. Last week, Anuja, a short film on which she serves as the executive producer, made it to the Oscars 2025 shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film. Adam J Graves’ directorial venture explores the harsh reality of child labour in New Delhi. Recalling their association with the project, Achint Jain, Monga’s business partner, starts, “Anuja is not something we greenlit. Adam and Suchitra [Mattai] are first-time filmmakers, and they reached out to us ki ab kahan jayein.”
That is where Monga and Jain stepped in. As executive producers, they raised money and drove the publicity campaign. Monga says, “There was a lot of fundraising, much more than the budget of the film.” But she understands that the bigger journey starts now. How does Monga, who has two Academy wins to her name, plan to ensure the short film earns a place in the nominations?
“Now that it’s shortlisted, we’re working on its future. From 9 pm to 12.30 am, and in the mornings, from 5 am to 9 am, I am making calls, talking to people, pushing Anuja, writing to people, [figuring] the next layer of funding and how we can take it forward, figuring out distribution and which platform to take it to. All our years of experience comes handy on the journey of a short film. We’re really pushing forward to get to the next round. [We’re keeping our] fingers crossed that we get to the nomination.”
The year 2024 was unbelievable for her. We tell her she has a surplus problem between the Oscar shortlist, Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous, her latest documentary on Honey Singh and the love she garnered earlier in the year for Kill.
“Both Kill and Gyaarah Gyaarah have been so rewarding. They were our big projects this year. With Kill, we just wanted to make an extreme action film. You get these comments along the way: ‘Kaun dekhega? Kaise karenge?’ But we stuck to making it in its purest form. Be it The Lunchbox [2013], Masaan [2015], or The Elephant Whisperers [2022], the idea is just to tell the best story.”
Now, they are looking ahead with confidence and hope. Their next is a film with Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. Monga says, “We will make a big announcement in January too. India is back with single producers, the producers who have stood the test of time. It’s the time [for] producers to take the call and have faith in their vision. I genuinely feel producers’ work is underestimated here. But now is the time for producers to resurface.”
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