Ayushmann Khurrana had an engaging conversation with journalist Mayank Shekhar on day one of the silver jubilee edition of FICCI Frames 2025, held at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. The discussion covered Ayushmann’s choice of films and much more.
When asked about his love for ‘hybrid films’—movies that are mainstream yet push the envelope and challenge the status quo—Ayushmann shared an insightful response.
“I have always done hybrid movies from day one. That was my staple, be it *Vicky Donor*, *Dum Laga Ke Haisha*, or the *Shubh Mangal* series. The risk-to-reward ratio is very different when you see it from my lens because these films are not very expensive. They are low budget to mid-budget films and are high on content. Toh itna risk toh le hi sakte hai (smiles),” he explained.
He further added, “At the same time, it gives you a different high as I come from a street theatre background. While doing street plays in Chandigarh, we used to mix social issues with entertainment. This seems to be like the extension of my theatre personality.”
Ayushmann emphasized the importance of entertainment in storytelling: “Having said that, the entertainment quotient should always overpower the messaging. Audience bacche ki tarah hoti hai. Unko meethi goli deni padti hai dawai ki. Dawai kadvi lagegi toh mazaa nahin aayega! Subtle messaging with entertainment is most important.”
Addressing the question on whether there’s a difference in cinema pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, Ayushmann remarked, “We are having this discussion on this subject since half a decade. I really believe a good script is a good script. At the same time, I have deviated post-pandemic. My choices pre-pandemic were more taboo-based. I am staying slightly away from taboo but not from quirk. So, it has to be for a bigger palette, more rooted, more commercial.”
He also revealed details about his upcoming projects: “As for my line-up, *Thamma* is my first big Diwali release. It would be followed by a Sooraj Barjatya film, which, again, is for a wider audience. Then I am also doing a Dharma film which would also be for a wider audience. Lekin main beech mein panga leta rahunga. I’ll continue to do tedhi films as that’s my core!”
This conversation marks the first time Ayushmann Khurrana has confirmed signing on for films with Rajshri Productions and Dharma Productions.
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[Instagram post by Bollywood Hungama]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/breaking-ayushmann-khurrana-confirms-sooraj-barjatya-dharma-productions-next-ficci-frames-2025-films-wider-audience/
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