He's not the typical Adonis you'd be gaping at in awe or the hunk whose built and biceps you'd drool over. But Ayushmann Khurrana's dimple-marked-smile, the melody in his voice and the boy-next-door-attitude have won him a place right up there with the reigning stars as well as in the audience's hearts. With Pratishtha Malhotra, Ayushmann shares the story of his journey until now...
You've come a long way since winning roadies, being a RJ, a VJ, an anchor and now an actor. How does it feel when you look back?
It feels great. In fact, I’m glad that it is a gradual transition from one medium to the other. I don’t believe in overnight success. I’ve seen the industry as an outsider as well and it gave me a different perspective in working with people. I started as an anchor, a media person who used to take interviews and now I am giving interviews. It’s quite surreal. ‘Ive enjoyed my journey.
You did theatre before venturing into films. Tell us something about that.
Ya! I formed two theatre groups in Chandigarh; Aaghaaz and Manchtantra in D.A.V College. We started this in 2002 when I was in 1st year of college and these are the two active theatre groups in Chandigarh which are amateur, but very passionate. It is visible even today when they come to Mumbai for IIT-Mumbai or any of the fests. They are very gung-ho about theatre and are a very passionate bunch of kids and it’s good to be associated with such creative groups.
Do you think doing theatre was an advantage as we saw a very mature debutant in Vicky Donor?
I think it comes with experience. I have been doing theatre since childhood. My first play was in 5th standard where I played Shylock’s character in Merchant of Venice, a Shakespeare play. I’ve also been doing public speaking, theatre, music etc. Besides, I was fortunate to play a Punjabi character that connected with the youth. Being a Punjabi myself really helped me. I could relate to the masses and especially to certain Dilliwalas. So I think it is a right mix of opportunity and experience that counts.
Then Nautanki Saala, again, was a film that required a lot of spontaneity and comic timing like Vicky Donor. So does this spontaneity and comic timing come naturally to you?
I think it is a natural talent, but having said that there’s a lot of effort also that is put into it. I think doing radio, TV, theatre, live anchoring is counted as experience but, yes, a natural and inborn talent for it counts too.
How was it working with Rohan Sippy?
Rohan Sippy is a very good taskmaster. Actually, he’s a hard taskmaster. In fact, we did a workshop for the film for 20 days and we were so well prepared to take the film forward. So I think he is a great disciplinarian and it was great working with him.
So were there times on the set when you were scolded?
(Smiles) Ya, sometimes. It was the first time he was working without Abhishek Bachchan and we were newcomers in front of him. We were not really scolded but, ya, he was more like a teacher than a director.
You bagged the best singer Filmfare Award for ‘Pani da Rang’ and you had an expression of disbelief on getting it. Were you actually shocked?
You know, I was expecting the debut actor award, since that was what I got in other award shows, but the award for best singer was quite a surprise because I never aspired to be a playback singer. I would sing as a kid, but never took it seriously. When I came to Mumbai, I came to be an actor and not a singer though I enjoy music. It is my passion but I never intended to take it up professionally. I am not a trained singer and didn’t pursue it because I always thought that I was more of an actor. So when the announcement happened at the Filmfare Awards for the best playback singer, it was unbelievable. Hence the expression!
You’ve sung two songs in Nautanki Saala too. So are there pplans of seriously considering playback singing?
I’m an actor, who also sings and fortunately my songs are doing well. ‘Saadi Gali’ is a chartbuster and ‘Tu Hi Tu’ is doing pretty well. But still, I am an actor who sings and not a singer who acts.
We’ve heard you write poetry as well…
Ya. Infact, these songs, ‘Paani Da Rang’ and ‘Saadi Gali’ were written by me. I’ll be writing songs in the future too. I like poetry and I also have a blog in Hindi. I’ve done public speaking and theatre in Hindi. My mom is MA in Hindi and my love for literature comes from there.
You act, sing, write poetry and have done journalism as well. Were you planning on stealing everyone's job?
(Laughs) Not really. Basically, I didn’t want to study theatre because I was already doing theatre, but I wanted to study something and do my post graduation. Journalism and Mass Communication was something is chose because it was connected to the media industry and it really helped me to be a better presenter of television.
Your next is a Yash Raj Film with Sonam Kapoor. Tell us something about that…
It’s a love story in the times of recession where I play a guy who is a corporate person based out of Delhi and Nupur Asthana is directing the film. I’m very excited about it. The characters are very nice. There are three characters in the film - Rishi Kapoor Sir, Sonam Kapoor and I.
You've come a long way since winning roadies, being a RJ, a VJ, an anchor and now an actor. How does it feel when you look back?
It feels great. In fact, I’m glad that it is a gradual transition from one medium to the other. I don’t believe in overnight success. I’ve seen the industry as an outsider as well and it gave me a different perspective in working with people. I started as an anchor, a media person who used to take interviews and now I am giving interviews. It’s quite surreal. ‘Ive enjoyed my journey.
You did theatre before venturing into films. Tell us something about that.
Ya! I formed two theatre groups in Chandigarh; Aaghaaz and Manchtantra in D.A.V College. We started this in 2002 when I was in 1st year of college and these are the two active theatre groups in Chandigarh which are amateur, but very passionate. It is visible even today when they come to Mumbai for IIT-Mumbai or any of the fests. They are very gung-ho about theatre and are a very passionate bunch of kids and it’s good to be associated with such creative groups.
Do you think doing theatre was an advantage as we saw a very mature debutant in Vicky Donor?
I think it comes with experience. I have been doing theatre since childhood. My first play was in 5th standard where I played Shylock’s character in Merchant of Venice, a Shakespeare play. I’ve also been doing public speaking, theatre, music etc. Besides, I was fortunate to play a Punjabi character that connected with the youth. Being a Punjabi myself really helped me. I could relate to the masses and especially to certain Dilliwalas. So I think it is a right mix of opportunity and experience that counts.
Then Nautanki Saala, again, was a film that required a lot of spontaneity and comic timing like Vicky Donor. So does this spontaneity and comic timing come naturally to you?
I think it is a natural talent, but having said that there’s a lot of effort also that is put into it. I think doing radio, TV, theatre, live anchoring is counted as experience but, yes, a natural and inborn talent for it counts too.
How was it working with Rohan Sippy?
Rohan Sippy is a very good taskmaster. Actually, he’s a hard taskmaster. In fact, we did a workshop for the film for 20 days and we were so well prepared to take the film forward. So I think he is a great disciplinarian and it was great working with him.
So were there times on the set when you were scolded?
(Smiles) Ya, sometimes. It was the first time he was working without Abhishek Bachchan and we were newcomers in front of him. We were not really scolded but, ya, he was more like a teacher than a director.
You bagged the best singer Filmfare Award for ‘Pani da Rang’ and you had an expression of disbelief on getting it. Were you actually shocked?
You know, I was expecting the debut actor award, since that was what I got in other award shows, but the award for best singer was quite a surprise because I never aspired to be a playback singer. I would sing as a kid, but never took it seriously. When I came to Mumbai, I came to be an actor and not a singer though I enjoy music. It is my passion but I never intended to take it up professionally. I am not a trained singer and didn’t pursue it because I always thought that I was more of an actor. So when the announcement happened at the Filmfare Awards for the best playback singer, it was unbelievable. Hence the expression!
You’ve sung two songs in Nautanki Saala too. So are there pplans of seriously considering playback singing?
I’m an actor, who also sings and fortunately my songs are doing well. ‘Saadi Gali’ is a chartbuster and ‘Tu Hi Tu’ is doing pretty well. But still, I am an actor who sings and not a singer who acts.
We’ve heard you write poetry as well…
Ya. Infact, these songs, ‘Paani Da Rang’ and ‘Saadi Gali’ were written by me. I’ll be writing songs in the future too. I like poetry and I also have a blog in Hindi. I’ve done public speaking and theatre in Hindi. My mom is MA in Hindi and my love for literature comes from there.
You act, sing, write poetry and have done journalism as well. Were you planning on stealing everyone's job?
(Laughs) Not really. Basically, I didn’t want to study theatre because I was already doing theatre, but I wanted to study something and do my post graduation. Journalism and Mass Communication was something is chose because it was connected to the media industry and it really helped me to be a better presenter of television.
Your next is a Yash Raj Film with Sonam Kapoor. Tell us something about that…
It’s a love story in the times of recession where I play a guy who is a corporate person based out of Delhi and Nupur Asthana is directing the film. I’m very excited about it. The characters are very nice. There are three characters in the film - Rishi Kapoor Sir, Sonam Kapoor and I.
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