Ayushman rejects K.JO??

One of the biggest discoveries of 2012,

Ayushmann Khurrana is back with his second release, Nautanki Saala. Asserting that the Rohan Sippy film "can't go wrong", the talented actor also reveals that he does not feel as much pressure about this film as he did about his first release, Vicky Donor. StarWeek reports

It wasn't a stroke of serendipity that transformed Ayushmann Khurrana from Chandigarh into a sought-after Bollywood hero overnight. The multi-faceted youngster has emerged triumphant after several years of hard work. Still basking in the afterglow of his first film, Vicky Donor's success, the guy is now readying himself for his next release, Nautanki Saala!. As we commence our rendezvous over a cup of tea, the 28-year old talks about the upcoming movie and his journey so far.

You've bagged several awards for the Best Debutant in this year's awards season. It must be overwhelming, no?

To be frank, I was expecting good critical reviews and a decent commercial success for Vicky Donor. But what happened, surpassed every expectation. I generally don't expect much from life. I think life should surprise you. But getting the Best Debutant award in the year of newcomers when there were four other fantastic newbies, really means a lot.

From a simple Chandigarh boy to a Yash Raj hero, how has the journey been?

It has been pretty fruitful. I never thought of it as a struggle. I was a successful theatre actor in Chandigarh. I was a radio presenter first and then, a decently known television anchor. I feel fortunate. When I had come to Mumbai, I used to work out at Waves Gym (in Andheri, Mumbai) from where I could see a huge hoarding. I had seen Om Shanti Om and Kaminey's hoardings there while working out. I had a secret wish to see myself there someday. Fortunately, at that very place, they had placed a hoarding of my first film, Vicky Donor. It was truly a proud moment for me.

You were a popular face on television when you managed to bag a meaty role in John Abraham's first production. How did that happen?

It just happened. I think Shoojit Sircar was looking for somebody who had a youth connect and was Punjabi. I am a Punjabi and was a part of a youth channel. So by default, I fulfilled all the prerequisites of the director. I did not even audition for the film.

You are also doing John's next production, Hamara Bajaj. What kind of equation do you share with him now?

John will always be my mentor. He's a friend too. I think he could relate to me because even he had come to this industry on his own without any Godfather. He's a very genuine person and has helped me a lot in becoming what I am today.

The trailer of your second film, Nautanki Saala! is out and has received a positive response. Excited?

Yes, I'm quite excited. I always wanted to work with Rohan Sippy. Also, the music in the movie is really good. The film is quite quirky. It's a new-age comedy and it's always good to be in the young space.

Considering you had delivered an impactful performance in your very first film, people have huge expectations from you this time around. Does that put pressure on you?

I think I was under pressure when Vicky Donor had released. I was being appreciated but it was my first film, so I was a little apprehensive. But when I signed Nautanki Saala! with Rohan Sippy, I knew that I am in safe hands. I know that this can't go wrong. You just have to believe in the director. But I certainly believe that I've acted better in Nautanki Saala! than Vicky Donor. I've sung and composed better. Success is not in my hand but I've tried to give my best.

You're playing a theatre director-actor in the film. Tell us a little more about your character.

Till now, movies have always shown theatre in a caricaturish manner. But in Nautanki Saala!, theatre has been shown in a different light. I play the character of Ram Parmar who is a theatre director-actor and is very much like Ram from Ramayan. The traits come very naturally to him. But he plays Ravan on stage. So there's this character dichotomy happening throughout the film.

Also, in Hamara Bajaj, you'll be seen playing a struggling actor. You seem to be taking up roles which you can personally connect with.

I think it's just happening by chance. When you've been a struggler or a theatre artiste in real, you tend to lend shades to your character which are drawn from your real life. I had come to Mumbai five years back to become an actor. So I have seen that phase. I am lucky that I am getting roles which are close to reality for me.

You're also doing a Yash Raj film opposite Sonam Kapoor.

Working with Yash Raj Films was in my bucket list and I think every actor wants to work with them. It's a love story in the time of recession based in Delhi. I think nobody has taken the recession too seriously. We make realistic films but we don't talk about such issues. In the movie, I work in an airline company and it gets dissolved. It's quite interesting.

Rumours suggest that you were offered a Dharma film opposite Parineeti Chopra. But you turned it down. Is that true?

I'd love to work with Dharma Productions. It's just that I already had a couple of films lined up. So unfortunately, I couldn't do it.

Since you hail from the television background, you've been compared to Shah Rukh Khan time and again. Now people have also started drawing comparisons between you and Aamir Khan as you are choosy about scripts. So which Khan do you relate to the most?

I'm a huge fan of all the three Khans. I'm a true admirer of Amitabh Bachchan. He's the real superstar of India. They were first comparing me with Shah Rukh and now they are comparing me with Aamir. But honestly, I have a long way to go before I can be compared to any of them. They are all superstars, I'm just a newcomer.

Lastly, coming to your personal life, has stardom brought about any changes in your relationship with wife Tahira Kashyap?

The best part is that it was a gradual process. I don't think I got this overnight. I always wanted to be an actor and it has happened. I've asked questions to people as an interviewer. Now, I am answering questions in an interview. I've witnessed all of this happening. So both of us were prepared. She's happy about it. Also, we hardly get to see each other these days. So every time we meet, we fall in love all over again.