I’m a Simple Guy
Ayushmann Khurrana on taking it easy,being grounded and focused
Ayushmann Khurrana on taking it easy,being grounded and focused
With ukewarm initial response from critics,Rohan Sippy’s Nautanki Saala,which released on Friday,is floating somewhere between great and not- so- great. But Ayushmann Khurrana is okay with it. His second film after the critically acclaimed and award- winning Vicky Donor,Khurrana says,Nautanki Saala made Rs 3.5 crore on its opening day,“which is not so bad for a small film”.
Yes,there was pressure of performing and proving with his film. “I won’t deny this,but I would like to add that I’ve evolved more as an actor and performer with Nautanki Saala,” says Khurrana. In town for the opening of Gili’s flagship store in Elante Mall,Khurrana talks about his films,anchoring and his new venture.
“I’m playing a theatre director in Nautanki,and that was a challenge. Vicky Donor was easy,the Punjabi boy act came naturally to me as I am a Punjabi. But this required a thespian’s poise and body language and it was tough,” he explains.
Sippy approached him right after Vicky Donor,and Khurrana was on board along with Kunaal Roy Kapoor. While he also approached Aditya Chopra for a film,Khurrana was offered another one with Sonam Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Written by Habib Faisal and directed by Nupur Asthanan,this untitled film is a Delhi comedy on love and life in times of recession. “This one is interesting for I play this urban,cool corporate guy,” he says.
Shoojit Sircar’s Hamara Bajaj starts later this year. With a three- film deal with Yashraj Films,Khurrana couldn’t have asked for more. “Had I got all this success instantly,I wouldn’t have cherished it. I am happy things are progressing naturally,” he says.
Talk about the fee hike,and he laughs: “Yashraj is managing me,and I really don’t bother about price tags. It’s their call and I comply.” Like the fee,he also doesn’t bother about competition. It’s a male-dominated industry and the boys and men are proving to be competitive. “It is the golden age of cinema where star kids are not the order of the day. Things are moving beyond nepotism and godfathers and outsiders are making their way in. Things are looking up and I really don’t keep tabs,for it will make me lose focus,” says the actor.
Television,he adds,will always be there. “Television and cinema are symbiotic,and although I may not do reality shows,I will always anchor live shows,award ceremonies,” he says.
About his new venture,being a partner with Gili,Khurrana says that he is in it with his brother,Aparshakti. “We will be opening six more stores in Punjab and they,like this one,will house accessories,watches,jewellery and apparel,” he informs. His days of accessorising are over,he says. “That was during MTV Roadies. Now,I am into watches,toy watches,blingy colourful ones,they are quite in,” he says.
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