Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has emerged as a thought-leader with his thought-provoking scripts that are based on topics which are considered a taboo. With eight back to back hits with such scripts, the actor aims to entertain audience with message-based films that have no reference point in Bollywood.
His brand equity today stands for backing the best quirky content that is being made by the industry. He played a sperm donor in his debut film Vicky Donor, someone with erectile dysfunction in Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan, dived into India’s fragmented and sensitive caste politics in Article 15, and a gay character in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhaan. He even highlighted body shaming in Dum Laga Ke Haisha and promoted inclusivity and body positivity in Bala.
Ayushmann says, “I have always tried to choose films that have no reference points and I have done this deliberately. I have gravitated towards handpicking social dramas in my quest to give films that can hopefully impact change in mindset, communities and of course attitude. These topics were hardly touched upon by our industry because we generally, consciously like to shy away from speaking publicly about these issues.”
The star wants society and Bollywood to be more vocal about important issues that can help promote diversity and inclusivity. He says, “We aren’t very vocal about some important and real issues that we should actually be talking about and discussing more often. I have always felt that bringing such topics out in the open will help us grow as a country.”
Ayushmann adds, “I will continue on my journey to make as much positive change happen around me as possible. That’s my biggest motivation as an artist.”