The Drama King

A successful debut also meant that he would be noticed by more filmmakers and get offered a variety of characters. But the true test for Khurrana comes now. Long before Vicky Donor,I was approached by various filmmakers for roles ranging from the heroines brother and the heros best friend. I refused these films hoping to bag a full-fledged role one day. Now that I have a successful film behind me,I need to make the most of it, he says.

Khurrana is treating his second release Nautanki Saala,directed by Rohan Sippy,as an opportunity to cement his place in the industry. The film is a story of two friends,the other played by Kunaal Roy Kapoor,and based on the premise of a comedy of errors. The fact that the role was different from what I have done in Vicky Donor,was challenging as well as interesting, says Khurrana.

John Abraham,who produced Vicky Donor,believes that the actors second film will decide his position in the industry. I had told Ayushmann that it is important to stay grounded. In Bollywood,hits and flops often decide an actors fate. One needs to tread cautiously, says Abraham.

Abraham has signed him for a film titled Hamara Bajaj,to be directed by Shoojit Sircar. In this film,Khurrana will play a struggling actor. The actors big break,however,has come from Yash Raj Films,with Nupur Asthana of Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge casting him in a love story opposite Sonam Kapoor. I like playing interesting characters,but for longevity I will have to do some regular Bollywood fare as well, he says.

Khurrana was a quiet boy while growing up in Chandigarh. It was on his fathers insistence that he took part in dramatics in school. By the time he finished school,Khurrana had transformed into a person who loved the camera and the microphone.

My stint in theatre made me realise my love for acting, he says. Khurranas Bollywood dreams were also fuelled by his grandmother,who was a huge film buff. She would imitate actors Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar and made sure the family watched all the latest releases. My first film in a theatre was Tezaab,but I was convinced I want to be an actor when I watched Mr India and later,Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, he says.