Ayushmann Khurrana: 14 years of unconventional cinema and what comes next
Synopsis
Fourteen years after 'Vicky Donor' rewrote the rules of what a mainstream Hindi hero could do, Ayushmann Khurrana says the philosophy hasn't changed — and his next two projects, including a Sooraj Barjatya romantic drama, suggest he's testing that thesis in a new direction.
Key Takeaways
Ayushmann Khurrana has completed 14 years in Hindi cinema since his debut with 'Vicky Donor' in 2012 .
His filmography includes 'Andhadhun' , 'Article 15' , 'Dream Girl' , and the recently received 'Udta Teer' .
Khurrana credited audience trust as the key reason he can 'take risks and experiment' across genres.
His next release is 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya' , a romantic family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya .
The film stars Sharvari , Anupam Kher , Supriya Pathak , Seema Pahwa , and others in supporting roles. 'Mupapa' is also in the pipeline as part of Khurrana's upcoming projects.
Ayushmann Khurrana, one of Hindi cinema's most consistently adventurous choices-makers, has reflected on a 14-year career built on defying mainstream expectations — and says he has no plans to stop. Speaking on 3 November 2026, the actor credited audience trust as the engine behind his willingness to take creative risks.
The Road Less Travelled
Since his debut in 2012 with 'Vicky Donor' — a film centred on sperm donation that many predicted would flop — Khurrana has consistently sought out stories that push Hindi cinema's thematic boundaries. His filmography reads like a deliberate counter-programme to the genre: 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan', 'Andhadhun', 'Article 15', 'Dream Girl', and most recently 'Udta Teer'.
'I have always believed in walking the road less travelled,' Khurrana said in a statement. 'Whether it is from Vicky Donor, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Dream Girl, Andhadhun to Udta Teer, Yeh Prem Mol Liya or Mupapa, my choices continue to reflect that and I want to keep exploring stories that are content-forward and break away from the expected.'
Audience Trust as Creative Currency
The actor was candid about the relationship between risk and reward in a commercial industry. 'It is the audience's trust in my choices that gives me the confidence to take risks and the freedom to experiment, challenge myself and move between genres,' he said.
Khurrana added that his goal has always been to be part of films that offer audiences something new 'while keeping entertainment at the heart of it.' The continued reception to 'Udta Teer', he noted, confirmed his belief that viewers are not averse to unconventional storytelling — they simply require it to connect and entertain. 'The love Udta Teer continues to receive is humbling, and it only tells me that audiences are always ready for something different,' he said.
Gratitude to Collaborators
Khurrana also acknowledged the directors, writers, and crews who partnered him on these projects, saying he was thankful to 'every director, writer and team that has trusted him with these stories.' He extended that gratitude to audiences as well, adding: 'And to the audience for showing that unconventional stories can find a place in mainstream entertainment.'
What Comes Next
The actor's upcoming slate signals a pivot in register without abandoning his content-first philosophy. He will next be seen in 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya', a romantic family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya, who is known for landmark family films in Hindi cinema. The ensemble cast includes Sharvari, Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak, Seema Pahwa, Saumya Tandon, Shaad Randhawa, and Swanand Kirkire. Beyond that, 'Mupapa' is also in the pipeline — yet another project that, by Khurrana's own reckoning, fits his unconventional template. Whether a Barjatya-directed family drama qualifies as the road less travelled will be for audiences to judge.
Point of View
And brands calcify. 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya' under Sooraj Barjatya is, by any measure, a pivot toward the mainstream family audience, which raises the question of whether 'unconventional' is a philosophy or a marketing posture. The actor's instinct to credit audience trust is commercially astute but sidesteps the role of a supportive producer ecosystem. The real test of the road-less-travelled thesis will come when a choice doesn't work — and how the industry and audience respond then.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayushmann Khurrana's next film?
Ayushmann Khurrana will next be seen in 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya', a romantic family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya. The film features an ensemble cast including Sharvari, Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak, Seema Pahwa, Saumya Tandon, Shaad Randhawa, and Swanand Kirkire.
How long has Ayushmann Khurrana been working in Bollywood?
Ayushmann Khurrana has been active in Hindi cinema for 14 years, having made his debut with 'Vicky Donor' in 2012. Since then, he has consistently chosen films that explore unconventional themes.
What did Ayushmann Khurrana say about his film choices?
Khurrana said he has 'always believed in walking the road less travelled' and that his choices — from 'Vicky Donor' to 'Udta Teer' — reflect a commitment to content-forward storytelling. He attributed his confidence to take risks to the trust audiences have placed in his work.
What is 'Udta Teer' and why is Ayushmann mentioning it?
'Udta Teer' is one of Ayushmann Khurrana's recent films that he says has continued to receive audience love, reinforcing his belief that viewers embrace fresh and unconventional storytelling. He cited its reception as evidence that mainstream audiences are open to different perspectives.
Who is directing Ayushmann Khurrana's upcoming film 'Yeh Prem Mol Liya'?
'Yeh Prem Mol Liya' is directed by Sooraj Barjatya, a filmmaker known for landmark Hindi family dramas. It marks a collaboration between Barjatya's sensibility and Khurrana's content-driven brand.
