Spending his lockdown birthday with family, Ayushmann Khurrana begins prep to play a cross-functional athlete in Abhishek Kapoor's next
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 14, 2020)

Last year, his birthday resolution was to spend more time with family. Call it a wish come true or the larger force of nature at work, but Ayushmann Khurrana — who has been spending the lockdown in hometown Chandigarh — finds himself surrounded by his near and dear ones as he blows the candles on his 36th birthday today. "I don't remember the last time I did this in the recent years. It's special to have all of them around on my big day," says Khurrana, who spent the last few birthdays on a film set.

Though away from a set, the actor has work on his mind. Considering the shoot of director Abhishek Kapoor's next is tentatively slated for October, Ayushmann Khurrana has been working out extensively to achieve the lithe frame of a cross-functional athlete. "I'm racing against time to achieve the desired physique and can't take a single day off. I want the audience to see something new about me, which is why I am working hard to transform (into an on-screen athlete)."

The actor, who has been put on a protein-rich diet to aid his transformation, says he has been pursuing functional core training for two to three hours daily, with Mumbai-based trainer Rakesh Udiyar guiding him over video calls and intensifying the regimen as they near the schedule. "I have to do legs on Mondays and keep looking for excuses to avoid them. I'm hoping I will be able to walk after my session and be in the right condition to celebrate," he laughs.

With his professional stock at an all-time high, Ayushmann Khurrana has a personal resolution for birthday
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 14, 2019)

Given the dream run that he is on, you would imagine there is little that's missing from Ayushmann Khurrana's life. As he blows out the candles on his 35th birthday today, he agrees that he has already received the best gift he could have asked for. "Dream Girl is off to a good start. What's gratifying is that with this film, the trade has started viewing me in a different light altogether," he enthuses. The biggest compliment, he reveals, has come from wife Tahira Kashyap. "It's only now that she calls me a brave actor. She thinks I have done a great job in this film. Otherwise, she's critical of my work."

The actor, who has begun shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhaan, is taking the day off. Don't expect a glitzy party from Khurrana; the man of the moment — true to his characteristic understated style — prefers an intimate gathering over a B-Town bash. "I will have a get-together with family and friends. I prefer to keep my birthdays low-key. Being in the public eye, I am bound to meet a lot of people. So, my special day has to be with my inner circle."

Content as he is with his seven-year journey at the movies, Khurrana says he has a special wish for this birthday. The father of two hopes to spend more time with children, Virajveer and Varushka. "The last few years have been hectic. I have been shooting non-stop. No complaints there because I have been part of some amazing movies that have shaped the taste of audiences, but I do wish to balance my schedules better and carve out more time for my family. I have missed them a lot, and they have been my pillars of strength."

Upala KBR (DNA; September 8, 2016)

After Mitti Di Khusboo and Yahin Hoon Main, Ayushmann Khurrana is all set to launch his third single next week called Ek Vaari Haan Kehde...

After videos with Huma Qureshi and Yaami Gautam, he pairs up with Neha Sharma’s sister Ayesha for his next video.

Ayushmann tells us his next is a romantic track. “Also, for the first time I have collaborated with my brother Aparshakti (who is making his acting debut in Aamir Khan’s Dangal) on it. We have jointly composed and written the lyrics for this track and shot for it in Georgia. It has been directed by Pradeep Sarkar and will release on my birthday on September 14.”

It’s a proposal song where Ayushmann’s character proposes to Ayesha. Any references from his own real-life proposal to his wife Tahira? “Everytime one doesn’t have to take references from one’s real life. Sometimes, it could also be your alter-ego. Creatively, I could do anything with one of the thoughts created by my alter ego. It’s about a proposal and putting a girl on pedestal...”

Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 14, 2015)


So the simple pleasures this birthday? “I am in my home-town Chandigarh with my family. We’re all going to Kasauli which is an hour’s drive from our home. In fact you can see the foothills of the Himalayas from our home,” gushes the actor who celebrates his brithday today.

The entire family includes Ayushmann’s parents and his in-laws. During the past year the one major change in Ayushmann’s life has been that his wife and two children have joined him in Mumbai. Earlier they stayed in Chandigarh. “Yes, we are all together now, and that’s my best birthday gift. It’s basically to ensure the best possible schooling for my kids. Otherwise Chandigarh was just fine,” says Ayushmann.

Ayushmann has vivid memories of his birthday celebratuibs in his childhood. “I remember as a child, I’d get either a video game or a bicycle every birthday. I remember going to the store with my parents and they got me this really cool yellow bicycle. I wanted it in black or blue. But they said I’d have to wait for a couple of days. So, I just came home with the yellow bicycle.”

The actor is currently in the process of finalising a song for release. “My musical partner Rochak Kohli and I have zeroed in on two-three compositions. We’ll be releasing one of them.”

That's Ayushmann Khurrana's resolution as he turns 31
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 12, 2015)

After three years in Bollywood Ayushmann Khurrana has two great films and three not-so great films to his credit. And after hours of introspection he has arrived at the conclusion that he would only like to do the Vicky Donor kind of films, which don't require a six-pack. Coincidentally, his second John Abraham production, Agra Ka Daabra, which reunites him with mentor-director, Shoojit Sircar, is well on track.

"Shoojit is reworking the script and John is in Budapest filming Force 2. Our film should roll mid-2016," says Ayushmann, adding that he has a two-film deal with John and five scripts in hand. "My next film should kickstart by the year end."

Is this Tigmanshu Dhulia's Bhoole Se Naam Na Lo Pyar Ka? It's a film, within a film about films, set in the '80s Bombay and revolving around an industry romance. Buzz is, Ayushmann will re-unite with co-star Bhumi Pednekar. "I've been talking to the makers and there will be an announcement soon. I was surprised to read about me doing the film already," he retorts. "Bhumi, who put on a lot of weight to fit the character in our earlier film together, looks like a conventional heroine now and I'd love to work with her. I'm speaking generally, since, the details of this film aren't finalised yet," he smiles.

Ayushmann, who turns 31 on Monday, is flying to Chandigarh like every year, to bring in his birthday with his family, before taking off to Singapore for two live concerts at the Formula One Grand Prix. "It's a birthday gift to myself. I will be watching Adam Levine's band, Maroon 5, play on September 19, followed by Bon Jovi, live, the following day," he exults, sighing that the two other gigs in his bucket list - Coldplay and a jugalbandi between Anoushka Shankar and the late Pandit Ravi Shankar, will now remain a dream unfulfilled.

Growing up in an all-boys school, his birthday was always the most boring day since it coincided with Hindi Diwas. He sulks, "There were no girls around so I ended up sitting in my room, in shorts and chappals, updating the Hindi blog, I used to write. The exception was when I was gifted a red bicycle, minus the supporting wheels, on my eighth birthday. I felt like a stud."

Birthday resolutions for the new year? "I plan to polish my moves and want to dance professionally. It's my passion. Earlier, I wasn't known for my singing or acting, but my dancing. I was called MJ (Michael Jackson)," he smiles.