Ayushmann Khurrana’s debut film Vicky Donor was released on April 20, 2012, marking his tenth year in Indian cinema. Ayushmann for an exclusive interview in which he spoke candidly about his rollercoaster career and what he’s learned over the years.
Ayushmann admitted that he has the ability to distance himself from the roles he plays when asked if he has ever lost himself in the process.”It really depends on how you take it. I used to be a method actor when I used to do theatre. But when I became a film actor, started hosting and became more natural, instead of getting overwhelmed by the character, I used to give something to the character. I never took the character back home. I can switch on and switch off very easily. If the cameras are off, I’m myself,” the actor said.
Reminiscing one of the many films that “affected” him, Ayushmann revealed it was Article 15. “Probably there is one film – Article 15 – which really affected me. That’s the only dark film I’ve done. The theme was very dark. I had read a lot about BR Ambedkar and also casteism..that affected me,” Ayushmann said,
Adding, “Apart from that, most of the films are light-hearted. The subject can be hard hitting but the narrative is light and soft, that’s how I present the story. So that people can consume it easily.”
Anubhav Sinha directed and produced the 2019 Indian Hindi-language neo-noir criminal drama film Article 15, for which he also co-wrote the screenplay with Gaurav Solanki. Ayushmann Khurrana plays a police officer investigating the disappearance of three girls from a rural town, unearthing a history of caste-based discrimination in the process.
Article 15 of India’s Constitution, which outlaws discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or birthplace, is the inspiration for the film. While the film is not based on a single incident, it is inspired by a number of real-life events involving crimes motivated by caste prejudice, such as the 2014 Badaun gang rape claims and the 2016 Una flogging incident.