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Birthday Love: Ayushmann Khurrana – Changing the status quo

Ayushmann Khurrana can easily be seen as the actor who changed things for actors in the wider industry. His transition from small to big screen may have been inevitable but it was the talent ki bhandaar that he brought with him musically which truly transformed the way actors have “functioned” ever since.

With his playback-ready vocals and already vibrant personality there for all to see when he was a TV anchor, he made his debut in a film which was – to be frank – as daring an introduction for himself into the industry as any could be. Since then, he’s redefined himself with a number of films in his six-year career. We look at the films which he’ll be remembered for in this time, as he celebrates his birthday on 14th September.

‘Vicky Donor’ (2012)
In his debut film, Khurrana took on the role of man who gets “lured” into sperm donation when he needs money. Yes, this was pathbreaking cinema because this subject is not one that had been touched upon before the film within Indian cinema. However, the take that Shoojit Sircar took on the topic was light-hearted, circumstantial but also full of obstacles which made the story all the more real. Khurrana played into each emotion with ease and showed that he was an actor who was by no means a “one hit wonder”.

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ (2015)
The critically acclaimed ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is where Khurrana really found praise with audiences and critics alike. He takes on the role of Prem who is far from the namesake you may have seen Salman Khan play in years gone by. Prem gets into an arranged marriage and struggles with the relationship which he hasn’t really given his consent to. What makes Khurrana’s performance memorable is his accent, his body language and his quite “miserable” and almost self-proclaimedly downtrodden behaviour.

‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’ (2017)
The story of ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’ had something homely and familiar about it even though stories similar to it have been seen before. The big difference for those who had followed Khurrana’s career before this film would have been to see him in a negatively shaded role; a bully. This was something Khurrana played very well and although it was a leap for him somewhat, the audiences took took to him positively in the film.

‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ (2017)
Now this was one film that really was a groundbreaker both for Khurrana and the entire film’s team. In fact, it can be argued that it was such for the industry as a whole and for cinegoers who make up society in India. Khurrana played a man who was dealing with erectile dysfunction and his performance was nuanced, funny and very thought-provoking. We definitely can’t see anyone else in this kind of role.

‘AndhaDhun’ & ‘Badhaai Ho’ (both scheduled to release in October 2018)
Although a little premature, we are sure that the forthcoming Sriram Raghavan directorial which stars Khurrana will be one of his best yet – judging by the recently released trailer. Khurrana plays a blind man who plays the piano but there’s definitely a twist. In contrast, his other October release – ‘Badhaai Ho’ – has had a tremendous reaction to the trailer which released recently and also promises to be a subject which will lure the audiences in.

 

Khurrana seems to have quietly made some hugely favourable and clever film choices in the years he’s been seen on the big screen. And judging by those, no doubt he’ll continue to climb slowly but surely to a place where he will always be noticed and not just for his acting or singing skills but his apparently natural ability to choose films which change the status quo.

BizAsiaLive.com wishes Ayushmann Khurrana a very happy birthday.