They used to call Aamir Khan the ‘Man with the Golden Gut’; it was a reflection of his unwavering instinct for sniffing out the best scripts. If there is anyone among the current crop of actors that is a true heir to that title, it’s Ayushmann Khurrana who hasn’t had a flop in nearly three years…he’s been on a roll delivering hit after quirky hit every couple of months. And none of these have been safe choices. In the last year alone he played an upper caste IPS officer who discovers the true horrors of the caste system (Article 15), a young man who earns a living impersonating a woman on a singles phone line (Dreamgirl), and a fellow who becomes increasingly insecure because of his premature balding problem (Bala).
The 35-year-old Chandigarh-raised former radio jockey who names Shah Rukh Khan as the single reason he loved the movies growing up, recently moved into a sprawling new apartment in Mumbai’s Oshiwara neighborhood, tastefully decorated by his wife Tahira Kashyap. Behind us the wall has been carved into a shelf to display his various awards, and there’s already no room for more. (“We’ll just have to phase some out, or bung in two or three in the space of one,” he jokes about the future).
Currently on a well-earned break from shooting, Ayushmann is fully aware that he cannot let the ball drop. That too much is riding on his success. That one wrong choice could change everything. Yet he is the portrait of calm on this early Saturday morning, dressed in track pants and a black T-shirt, sipping black coffee as we reflect on his silver streak.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Rajeev Masand: You’re coming off a great year—a National Award, three back-to-back hits, two films already completed for 2020. How are you feeling?
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Elle India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Elle India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FULL THROTTLE
F2 rising star Kush Maini on his racing journey & challenges in motorsport. Ekta Sinha hitches a ride
VIJAY VARMA MAN OF THE MOMENT
Amidst the barrage of releases, Vijay Varma's dignified reticence is enveloped in thoughtful consideration, reports Ipsita Kaul
ROHIT SARAF THE GEN Z STAR
The new generation heartthrob talks about his love for romcoms, music, and future endeavours with Ekta Sinha
Roaring RAJASTHAN
From Jawai's dramatic landscape and Jaisalmer's rich heritage to Ranthambore's enthralling wilderness-Isha Mayer explores SUJÁN's luxurious, eco-conscious hospitality offerings in the beautiful state
Ectoin: The Skin's New Defence
Krishika Bhatia explores a revolutionary skincare breakthrough that merges nature and science, featuring insights from industry experts
Nigella's WORLD
The British celebrity chef shares the secret recipe to her effortless charm in the kitchen with Isha Mayer
ADRIATIC DRIFT
Stari Grad is Croatia's hidden gem waiting to be explored, finds Isha Mayer
Unapologetically MOSTLY SANE
The multi-hyphenate artist fills Maahi Shah in on the fun things she's working on, what meeting Michelle Obama was like, & how she stays grounded
SANYA MALHOTRA POWERHOUSE OF VERSATILITY
The actor lets Maahi Shah in on her female-forward acting choices, growing through the tribulations of the imposter syndrome and the big little things that make her proud to be a woman
H&M GOES BRAT
Popstar Charli XCX's celebration of the fashion brand's Autumn/ Winter 2024 campaign offered a window to its refreshed trajectory, reports Haiqa Siddiqui
