After attaining critical and commercial success with more than half a dozen taboo and issue-based films, Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana says he needs to break away from the genre.
Right from his 2012 acting debut "Vicky Donor" to films like "Dum Laga Ke Haisha", "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", "Badhaai Ho" and "Article 15", the actor has emerged as the go-to artist for playing ordinary men battling social norms.
However, the pandemic made him reconsider his criteria for selecting scripts, he said. His 2022 releases “Anek” and “Doctor G” are pre-pandemic choices, said Khurrana, adding he signed his upcoming feature “An Action Hero” post-pandemic.
“I need to break (away) from it. I need to get away from taboo subjects and make a film that is more relatable if I aspire for a theatrical release.
“That's the evolution or maybe learning I've got from the last two years. This film (‘An Action Hero’) is devoid of any messaging as such. It's just pure thrill, entertainment,” Khurrana told PTI in an interview here.
The 38-year-old actor further said he can part ways with taboo stories for a while but "not quirks", as he believes that is his USP.
“Comedy and quirk will always work. You need to engage the audience and that is the biggest challenge today. Also, the patience level (of viewers) has decreased.
“We have reels and everything on the (Insta)gram, on phones. So, the competition for theatrical release is not just from OTT, it's from social media too.” Asked if any of his previous hits can lure people to cinema halls even today, the National Award winner said he would bet big on family entertainers.
"A film like ‘Andhadhun’, ‘Badhaai Ho’ will definitely do those numbers. Even ‘Bala’ to an extent because they are funny films. The humour and emotions are wider films, they are all family films.
"People go out with their families in theatres. The restricting films may not work, but they are great for OTT. You have to widen your audience and give that film to them," he added.
“An Action Hero”, also starring Jaideep Ahlawat, is helmed by debutant director Anirudh Iyer. Billed as a slick actioner with an offbeat satirical sense of humour, the film follows an artist’s (Khurrana) journey both in front and behind the lens.
“I am always looking for something that is different from my image. This fit into the bill not just because it was a really juicy character but it's a very different film and character for me,” he said.
In the movie, Khurrana plays Manav, an action hero on the run from Bhura Solanki (Ahlawat), who wants to avenge the mysterious death of his brother.
(PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.