Ayushmann Khurrana reveals Guneet Monga took his first audition, Udta Teer releases Oct 23
Synopsis
Ayushmann Khurrana's revelation that Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga took his very first audition is the kind of origin story Bollywood rarely surfaces publicly. Now, decades later, the two are finally collaborating on Udta Teer — a genre-blending patriotic spy comedy releasing 23 October, with a debutant director, a starry ensemble, and a posthumous performance by Mukul Dev.
Key Takeaways
Ayushmann Khurrana revealed that producer Guneet Monga took his very first audition, marking a long personal and professional association.
Udta Teer , a Hindi-language spy comedy, releases in cinemas on 23 October 2026 .
The film is directed and written by Aakash Kaushik in his feature directorial debut, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan in the leads.
It marks the second posthumous screen appearance of actor Mukul Dev , who passed away in 2025 .
Guneet Monga is a two-time Oscar winner ( 2019 and 2023 ) and founder of Sikhya Entertainment , behind films like The Lunchbox and Gangs of Wasseypur .
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has shared a little-known piece of industry history ahead of his upcoming spy comedy Udta Teer — Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga was the one who took his very first audition, making their on-screen collaboration decades in the making. The film is set to release in cinemas on 23 October 2026.
A Bond That Goes Back Years
In a statement, Khurrana described the relationship as one rooted in a shared creative philosophy. 'Guneet and I share a very common core when it comes to content. I've always been drawn to clutter-breaking, unique cinema, and Guneet has championed distinctive storytelling in her own way, taking Indian stories to a global platform and representing India at the Oscars,' he said.
The actor also reflected on just how far back the two go. 'She took my first ever audition, so we go back a long way. We've stayed in touch ever since and watched each other's journeys, and now we've finally got the chance to work together,' Khurrana added.
What Udta Teer Is About
Udta Teer is a Hindi-language spy comedy directed and written by Aakash Kaushik in his feature directorial debut. The film blends patriotism, action, and comedy in what its makers are calling a genre-breaking entertainer. Khurrana stars opposite Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles, with a supporting cast that includes Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Mukul Dev, Suhail Nayyar, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Brijendra Kala, and Sandeep Anand.
Notably, the film marks the second posthumous screen appearance of actor Mukul Dev, who passed away in 2025, adding a poignant dimension to the release.
The Producer Behind the Vision
Guneet Monga is the founder of Sikhya Entertainment, the boutique production house behind acclaimed films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox, Masaan, and Pagglait. She is a two-time Oscar-winner: she served as executive producer on Period. End of Sentence., which won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film, and produced The Elephant Whisperers, which won the same category at the 2023 Academy Awards.
In 2018, Monga became one of the first producers from India to be inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2021, the French Government conferred upon her the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres — the Order of Arts and Letters — in recognition of her contribution to cinema.
Why This Collaboration Matters
Khurrana's career has been built on unconventional choices — from Vicky Donor to Andhadhun — and Monga's track record mirrors that appetite for risk. Their pairing on a patriotic action-comedy signals a deliberate attempt to stretch both their brands beyond familiar territory. 'With Udta Teer, we're bringing that shared vision to a genre-breaking entertainer that blends patriotism, action and comedy,' Khurrana said. With a debutant director at the helm and a high-profile cast, all eyes will be on opening-weekend numbers when the film hits screens on 23 October.
Point of View
While Khurrana's mainstream pull gives Sikhya Entertainment its widest theatrical reach yet. The real question is whether a debutant director can hold together a film that reportedly blends three tonal registers — patriotism, action, and comedy — without losing coherence. If it works, it expands the template for what an 'Ayushmann film' can be; if it doesn't, both reputations absorb the hit.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Udta Teer and when does it release?
Udta Teer is a Hindi-language spy comedy film starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, directed by debutant Aakash Kaushik. It blends patriotism, action, and comedy, and is set to release in cinemas on 23 October 2026.
What is Ayushmann Khurrana's connection with Guneet Monga?
Ayushmann Khurrana has revealed that Guneet Monga took his very first audition, meaning the two share a professional history that predates both their current successes. They have stayed in touch over the years and Udta Teer marks their first collaboration as actor and producer.
Who is Guneet Monga?
Guneet Monga is the founder of Sikhya Entertainment and a two-time Oscar-winning producer. She won for Period. End of Sentence. (2019) and The Elephant Whisperers (2023), and in 2018 became one of the first Indian producers inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Who is in the supporting cast of Udta Teer?
The supporting cast includes Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Mukul Dev, Suhail Nayyar, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Brijendra Kala, and Sandeep Anand. Mukul Dev's appearance is posthumous — his second such role following his passing in 2025.
Is Aakash Kaushik a first-time director?
Yes, Udta Teer marks Aakash Kaushik's feature directorial debut. He also wrote the screenplay for the film, making it a fully original vision for the debutant filmmaker.
