Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2020)

If it wasn’t for the Coronavirus lockdown, actor Ayushmann Khurrana and his filmmaker wife, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, would have organised a birthday bash for their daughter Varushka, who turns six today. Given that a party is impossible in the current situation, the doting parents took it upon themselves to make the occasion a memorable one for their little girl.

Turning party planners, Ayushmann and Tahira rolled back to the age-old idea of using old newspapers, spare craft papers, white paper sheets, cardboards and other material readily available at home to create decorative items for the celebration.

Tahira told BT, “Initially, we tried looking for vendors who could help us with items to decorate the house, but that didn’t seem possible. So, we decided to make these things on our own, and for the last 10 days, we had been devoting a few hours daily to this. We didn’t want Varushka to feel low on her birthday. Ayushmann played music to keep us entertained throughout the days of prep. On some days, he would sing cool songs with the guitar and on others, he would turn to his playlists. It was so much fun since it kept all of us engaged and together.”

While Ayushmann has kept his plans a secret, Tahira started baking six small cakes yesterday. The family has also procured videos from their relatives and Varushka’s friends, wishing her on her birthday. Tahira added, “We are missing the presence of other humans around us. It’s going to be just us, but this birthday party will be memorable and special. I’m also planning a treasure hunt for the kids, so that they can have some fun. You have to find ways to adapt to situations.”

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 22, 2014)

"O boy, it's a baby girl! There's a birth of a father again," Ayushmann Khurrana whooped when on Monday his wife Tahira delivered their second bundle of joy. The couple's son, Virajveer, was born in 2012.

The actor admitted that he is proud to be the first one from his '99 batch at Chandigarh's St. John's High School to get married. "I'm also the youngest father. It's a feat to be a parent in your 20s," he quipped. "I learnt humility from my mother and chivalry from my wife. Now I will become compassionate because of my daughter."

A few days ago, speaking to Mirror, Ayushmann who had to sell his apartment after his help hanged himself there, had refuted rumours about not having a home in Mumbai anymore, saying, "We have bought a new place but I've hardly been in Mumbai so my wife has been mostly staying in Chandigarh. It's more practical because both our families are there and can help her with our son."

There was no mention of the fact that Tahira was in the last stages of pregnancy then. Fiercely protective about his private life, Ayushmann quickly shifted focus to Haridwar and Rishkiesh where he'd been shooting. "Haridwar is more religious while Rishikesh is spiritual. I'd love to settle down in Rishikesh, open a radio station and play music. I love its old-world charm," he said dreamily.

Interestingly, Ayushmann is working on three period films this year. Dum Laga Ke Haisha is set in the '90s, Shoojit Sircar's football film with John Abraham unfolds in 1911 and Bombay Fairytale is the biopic of Shivkar Bapuji Talpade who built and flew India's first unmanned aircraft in 1896, eight years before the Wright brothers' famous flight. "I love nostalgia," he admitted, remembering his first flight at 16 to Bangalore for a medical entrance exam by the national carrier. "There were 60 odd students who got on from Delhi and 50 per cent of us were first-time fliers. We all started clapping when the plane took off and after that it was party time. I'm looking forward to flying Bapuji's Marutsakha in the next schedule of Bombay Fairytale." 

Ayushmann's own flight has been rocked by a Bewakoofiyan and buzz is that post the flop he has slashed his price and is re-thinking his career? "I haven't signed any films after this so there's no question of a price hike or a slash," he pointed out. "I have minimal expectations from life and whatever I've got so far is more than enough. 1911 is the only new film I have on hand. Even Hamara Bajaj is on hold because Shoojit has got busy with Pikoo and 1911"

And what about Milan Talkies in which he had reportedly replaced Imran Khan? "Talks were on but there has been no confirmation. I'd love to work with Tigmanshu (Dhulia) but I don't know what's happening with the film. I've been quite busy with Dum Laga Ke Haisha for a while now," he said.

The rom-com revolves around an odd-couple-a video parlour owner and his intelligent, overweight wife. Ayushmann admits that his wife Tahira has often given him complexes. "I was a scrawny 50 kgs when I was in the 11th standard and she was the most beautiful girl in class who came to college in a car while I rode a bicycle. I always had a crush on her but never expected her to reciprocate," he confessed. Today the complexes are long gone and the man, woman and their two bundles of joy are a happy family.