Ayushmann Khurrana

I wanted to work with Sriram Raghavan, the master of noir.

I think a film is made with each and every cast member. If the casting is strong, half our job is done. Then, even the mundane line is delivered in a great fashion.

I think every film is like a team game, especially for me. I have always got films which have a strong cast.

I have realised that at the end of the day, I have to detach from my films, just do my job, and move on.

I think I am filled with excitement when it comes to doing films.

I believe in the fact that to portray a character convincingly, you need to live that character, own that character. You have to be earnest with every line that you deliver. However, it doesn't mean that you have to cut off your true self.

For an artiste to grow, for a person to grow, you have to learn. A learner cannot afford to have an ego. Learning can never stop. If it does, then it is death.

I am someone without an ego.

If I were a star kid, I wouldn't have tried so many things. I would have done theatre and directly joined movies. I did radio and TV shows because I had to carve my own way. Outsiders like me have to reach Bollywood through modelling, theatre, or radio.

I always wanted to act in movies.

The only privilege star kids enjoy is a good launch. That, of course, is important.

Lots of people expect 'Andhadhun' to be a dark film, given it's from Sriram Raghavan. But this film is fun, entertaining, thrilling, and while it has moments of darkness, overall it's not a dark film.

It happens in the West most of the time - the biggest of stars, they audition. That's how it should happen.

As an actor, I have always believed that content is the kin,g and I have always put my neck on the line to choose cinema that is off the beaten track.

Writers have always been very underrated.

I look for scripts that give me a gut feeling that this is going to work.

To begin with, I always want to go for scripts that do not have a reference in Hindi cinema. If it is novel and unique, it definitely has a better shelf value.

I think being able to juggle time and mind space comes with the trajectory of being an actor.

I've always believed that getting respect as an artiste is of utmost importance.

I think everyone is a hero in their own right.

There is no point in taking yourself too seriously.

I am not in every picture I post, and my social media is not only for film promotions. I don't feel comfortable with that. Yes, I'll post something promotional now and then, but rest of the time, it is like any other social media account.

I want to be real and relatable, because if I am not, then I lose my credibility among audiences.

'Vicky Donor' dealt with a taboo topic, but it was a family entertainer and not cringe-worthy, which helped make it a commercial success.

I don't overspend. I believe in always living within my means.

I realised that if you connect with the youth, you are home. Children love Varun Dhawan for the kind of films he is doing. If you can successfully connect with kids and the youth - you have cracked it.

I always wanted to be known as an actor who sings and not a singer who acts.

'Andhadhun' is the most challenging film and character. For playing the role, first and foremost I had to learn how to play the piano and then how to emulate gestures of a blind pianist.

I'd love to do a film on homosexuality. That's on my radar.

I started pretty young: I did my first reality show when I was 17. Then came 'Roadies' in 2004, when I was 19.

My debut, 'Vicky Donor,' was when I was 27. If I was a star kid, it would've been 22. I don't think the difference of five years would've affected much.

I always aspired to do something different.

Nobody tells you that they don't believe in you. I had tremendous self-belief and faith in my sensibilities.

To be successful in Bollywood, you either need to be a superstar or have a super script.

People have a very short attention span when it comes to television, but nobody forgets the movie you do.

From musicals to plays, I was part of all things theatrical all through my school life in Chandigarh, and this helped me develop a strong love for theatre and acting. Even during college, I was active in the theatre scene and even founded two theatre groups.

I played Shylock in my school's staging of 'Merchant of Venice.'

I am a passionate actor, but I am also very practical.

I think cricket and cinema are two big entities in the country. If you are part of either, you are sorted.

Not many know that I had done a fiction show called 'Kayaamat' for exactly one month. I also did 'Ek Thi Rajkumari,' though I don't think anyone watched the show. That was the plan - I wanted to be on TV, but in such a way that no one watched me.

I was a part of the reality show wave in 2002. Back then, no one had seen non-fiction on TV, and we had no reference point, so we all were just excited to see cameras around us.

I have a lot to show as an actor, and I will take my own sweet time for that.

I want to evolve with my performances. Consistency is really important. Having said that, I generally don't try too hard.

I don't watch a lot of movies. I watch theatre, read books, and observe life.

I would love to write a script, for sure. I write poetry and songs. But writing a script needs a lot of time and discipline.

The primary goal is to entertain people because... Fortunately, the kind of movies I have been doing have a certain message, they break taboos, and they are socially relevant. So it's a great mix of content and entertainment.

The more you know about your country, your people, you invest better in your craft.

I am glad I am born in this era, but, at the same time, my success will totally depend on the choices I make.

All you need to focus on is your craft and how you act; and, of course, script selection, which is a primary reason for anybody's success because, in today's day and age, everyone is talented irrespective of fields.

I still remember most people in the industry warning me that I was not playing the stardom game and that I was becoming niche because these content films don't do big numbers.