I always wanted to be known as an actor who sings and not a singer who acts.
— Ayushmann Khurrana
I was a radio jockey after graduation. I was 22, the youngest RJ in Delhi at that time.
I always aspired to do something different.
People have a very short attention span when it comes to television, but nobody forgets the movie you do.
I am a passionate actor, but I am also very practical.
I was a part of the reality show wave in 2002. Back then, no one had seen non-fiction on TV, and we had no reference point, so we all were just excited to see cameras around us.
I don't watch a lot of movies. I watch theatre, read books, and observe life.
The more you know about your country, your people, you invest better in your craft.
I still remember most people in the industry warning me that I was not playing the stardom game and that I was becoming niche because these content films don't do big numbers.
I think every film is like a team game, especially for me. I have always got films which have a strong cast.
I think I am filled with excitement when it comes to doing films.
I am someone without an ego.
Success is a lousy teacher, but failure is a friend, philosopher, and guide.
If you are changing yourself with every film, you will be exhausted as an actor.
Writers have always been very underrated.
I think being able to juggle time and mind space comes with the trajectory of being an actor.
There is no point in taking yourself too seriously.
'Andhadhun' is the most challenging film and character. For playing the role, first and foremost I had to learn how to play the piano and then how to emulate gestures of a blind pianist.
I started pretty young: I did my first reality show when I was 17. Then came 'Roadies' in 2004, when I was 19.
Nobody tells you that they don't believe in you. I had tremendous self-belief and faith in my sensibilities.
From musicals to plays, I was part of all things theatrical all through my school life in Chandigarh, and this helped me develop a strong love for theatre and acting. Even during college, I was active in the theatre scene and even founded two theatre groups.
I realised that if you connect with the youth, you are home. Children love Varun Dhawan for the kind of films he is doing. If you can successfully connect with kids and the youth - you have cracked it.
I have a lot to show as an actor, and I will take my own sweet time for that.
I would love to write a script, for sure. I write poetry and songs. But writing a script needs a lot of time and discipline.
I am glad I am born in this era, but, at the same time, my success will totally depend on the choices I make.
As an actor, I have always believed that content is the kin,g and I have always put my neck on the line to choose cinema that is off the beaten track.
I have realised that at the end of the day, I have to detach from my films, just do my job, and move on.
I believe in the fact that to portray a character convincingly, you need to live that character, own that character. You have to be earnest with every line that you deliver. However, it doesn't mean that you have to cut off your true self.
If I were a star kid, I wouldn't have tried so many things. I would have done theatre and directly joined movies. I did radio and TV shows because I had to carve my own way. Outsiders like me have to reach Bollywood through modelling, theatre, or radio.
The only privilege star kids enjoy is a good launch. That, of course, is important.
It happens in the West most of the time - the biggest of stars, they audition. That's how it should happen.
I look for scripts that give me a gut feeling that this is going to work.
I've always believed that getting respect as an artiste is of utmost importance.
I don't consume alcohol or colas. But I don't judge people who do. People make their own decisions.
I'd love to do a film on homosexuality. That's on my radar.
My debut, 'Vicky Donor,' was when I was 27. If I was a star kid, it would've been 22. I don't think the difference of five years would've affected much.
To be successful in Bollywood, you either need to be a superstar or have a super script.
I played Shylock in my school's staging of 'Merchant of Venice.'
Not many know that I had done a fiction show called 'Kayaamat' for exactly one month. I also did 'Ek Thi Rajkumari,' though I don't think anyone watched the show. That was the plan - I wanted to be on TV, but in such a way that no one watched me.
I want to evolve with my performances. Consistency is really important. Having said that, I generally don't try too hard.
The primary goal is to entertain people because... Fortunately, the kind of movies I have been doing have a certain message, they break taboos, and they are socially relevant. So it's a great mix of content and entertainment.
All you need to focus on is your craft and how you act; and, of course, script selection, which is a primary reason for anybody's success because, in today's day and age, everyone is talented irrespective of fields.
I think a film is made with each and every cast member. If the casting is strong, half our job is done. Then, even the mundane line is delivered in a great fashion.
I have taken lot of risks in life, and I believe that life is about taking risks.
For an artiste to grow, for a person to grow, you have to learn. A learner cannot afford to have an ego. Learning can never stop. If it does, then it is death.
I always wanted to act in movies.
Lots of people expect 'Andhadhun' to be a dark film, given it's from Sriram Raghavan. But this film is fun, entertaining, thrilling, and while it has moments of darkness, overall it's not a dark film.
I wanted to work with Sriram Raghavan, the master of noir.
To begin with, I always want to go for scripts that do not have a reference in Hindi cinema. If it is novel and unique, it definitely has a better shelf value.
I think everyone is a hero in their own right.
