Celebrating Ayushmann Khurrana and the iconic characters he has brought to life.
An actor, singer, and host, Ayushmann Khurrana is celebrating his 41st birthday today. After winning a reality show, he began his journey as a television anchor, eventually making his film debut with the romantic comedy ‘Vicky Donor’. His performance earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut, marking the beginning of a remarkable career. Since then, there has been no looking back for Khurrana, who has redefined the image of a Hindi film hero. He chooses to portray characters who are vulnerable, real, and flawed, often working-class men striving to achieve something extraordinary in their lives or society. On his birthday, let’s take a look at some of the memorable roles he has brought to life.
‘Andhadhun’, a black comedy crime thriller co-written and directed by Sriram Raghavan, features Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, and Anil Dhawan. The film follows the story of a blind pianist named Akash Sarraf, portrayed by Khurrana, who unintentionally becomes entangled in the murder of a retired actor. Upon its release, the film received widespread critical acclaim and went on to win five Filmfare Awards, including Best Film (Critics) and Best Actor (Critics) for Khurrana.
Written and directed by Sharat Katariya, ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is a romantic comedy-drama that tells the story of a man reluctant to marry an overweight woman. The film features a crowd-pleasing performance by the lead actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, and became a commercial success. And of course, who hasn’t heard the hit song ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage’ from the film?
Directed by Amar Kaushik, ‘Bala’ is a satirical comedy starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, and Yami Gautam. The film follows Balmukund Shukla, a young man from Kanpur struggling with male pattern baldness, exploring his insecurities and the societal pressures associated with premature hair loss. Ayushmann shines in this feel-good comedy, showcasing his impeccable comic timing and charm.
‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, a spiritual successor to ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’, is a romantic comedy written and directed by Hitesh Kewalya. Ayushmann Khurrana plays Kartik Singh, a gay man navigating the challenges of convincing his parents to accept his relationship. When it comes to portraying a gay character with sensitivity and authenticity, few contemporary Bollywood actors could have done it better than Ayushmann.
Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, ‘Dream Girl’ is a comedy-drama starring Ayushmann Khurrana as a cross-gender actor whose ability to mimic a female voice brings him unexpected attention, while also touching on themes of loneliness and depression. The film received critical acclaim and went on to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2019, as well as Khurrana’s biggest hit in India.
