Ayushmann Khurrana: Bollywood’s unlikely hero who turned taboo into box office gold
New Delhi: In an industry obsessed with larger-than-life heroes, six-pack abs and box-office formulas, has built his career by being refreshingly different. He has played a sperm donor, a man battling erectile dysfunction, a balding youngster and a gay man fighting for acceptance. By turning uncomfortable subjects into entertaining cinema, he has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most unconventional leading men.
From Roadies to Bollywood
Ayushmann’s journey began in Chandigarh, far removed from Bollywood’s privileged circles. He first grabbed attention after winning the second season of MTV Roadies in 2004. Television anchoring and radio followed, allowing him to develop the spontaneity and easy charm that would later become his trademark.
He also appeared in the television serial Kayamath in 2007, playing Saket Shergill. But his real breakthrough came with Shoojit Sircar’s Vicky Donor in 2012.
Playing a sperm donor was hardly the conventional choice for a newcomer. Yet Ayushmann embraced the role, and the film’s unexpected success earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. His song Pani Da Rang, which he sang and co-composed, also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Making taboo subjects mainstream
After a few disappointing releases, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015) revived his career. Playing an insecure husband struggling to accept his overweight wife, Ayushmann demonstrated his ability to portray flawed, relatable characters.
What followed was an extraordinary run. Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) established his comic credentials, while Badhaai Ho (2018), revolving around a middle-aged couple’s unexpected pregnancy, became a major success.
In Bala, he tackled premature baldness and male insecurity. Dream Girl showcased his comic timing, while Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan explored a same-sex relationship.
These films established Ayushmann as an actor who could make audiences laugh while encouraging them to question social prejudices.
Beyond the boy-next-door image
Ayushmann proved his versatility with Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun (2018), portraying a pianist caught in a dangerous web of deception and murder. The performance earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.
He followed it with Anubhav Sinha’s Article 15 (2019), playing an upright police officer confronting caste discrimination. The role earned him another Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.
However, success has not been uninterrupted. Several subsequent films struggled commercially before Dream Girl 2 (2023) brought him renewed box-office success. He continued experimenting with genres through the horror comedy Thamma (2025).
A controversy-free family man
Unlike many Bollywood personalities whose personal lives frequently make headlines, Ayushmann has largely maintained a controversy-free image.
He is married to his college sweetheart, writer and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap. Their relationship has endured the pressures of fame and personal challenges, including Tahira’s battle with cancer. The couple have two children.
His younger brother, Aparshakti Khurana, has also established himself as an actor.
Beyond acting, Ayushmann continues to pursue music and social causes. In February 2023, he became a national UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for India.
The power of being different
What makes Ayushmann stand apart is his willingness to portray vulnerable, imperfect men rather than invincible heroes. Not every experiment has worked, but his choices have helped expand the boundaries of mainstream Hindi cinema.
From a reality television winner to a National Award-winning actor, Ayushmann has demonstrated that stardom need not follow a familiar formula.
In a business where playing safe often seems the easiest route to success, he has made taking risks his identity. And that remains his greatest strength.