Ayushmann Khurrana has had an inspiring journey and is now among the few bankable traditional actors in our country.
Ayushmann Khurrana has been in the film industry for over a decade and it is safe to say that he has made a mark as a bankable commercial actor with a unique following. He began his career as a radio jockey, before becoming a video jockey and then one of the most famous actors our country has ever produced. Ayushmann Khurrana's career is inspiring as he has achieved great success in the industry without direct connections or influences, mainly on merit.
Here his cinematic films that make up memorable films are analyzed.
Ayushmann Khurrana rose to fame with Vicky Donor
Ayushmann Khurrana rose to fame with his first blockbuster film, Vicky Donor. The sperm donor-based comedy-drama was well received across the country and grossed around Rs 41 crore in 2012. The result was that the actor was flooded with film offers from the industry's biggest producers. He didn't play the perfect hero that everyone fell in love with, but rather someone imperfect and defenseless, but lovable and wonderful.
Vicky Donor's success was followed by three disappointing theater projects
After Vicky Donor, Ayushmann has been part of three disappointing theater projects: Nautanki Saala, Bewakoofiyaan and Hawaizaada. While the merits of all three films cannot be questioned, they fail to do the kind of work that was expected of them. The numbers recorded by Hawaizada in particular were appalling, and Ayushmann's film career found itself at a very delicate juncture after that, where any misstep could have spelled the end of his career.
Dum Laga Ke Haisha marked Ayushmann Khurrana's successful return to cinema
Dum Laga Ke Haisha was released just a month after Hawaizaada. Unlike most films of that era, Dum Laga Ke Haisha was not widely marketed. The unconventional small-town romantic drama found love from the audience and made its way to over Rs 30 crore with a net start of just Rs 1 crore. What the actor got was the trust of the audience, which is something any artist craves when he decides to become an actor.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan gave Ayushmann Khurrana's career the boost it was looking for
In the next two years, Ayushmann shot three films with mixed results. The romantic drama Meri Pyaari Bindu ended up being a theatrical flop, though it has now found a cult following of its own. Both Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan were not huge hits but were received reasonably well, giving the talented actor conviction in his choices. Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan emerged as Ayushmann's biggest hit, and marked his return to the genre that made him a household name. This is the film that gave him the confidence that audiences wanted to see him, more in helpless but likable and relatable characters.
Ayushmann Khurrana never looked back after Andhadun
His film Andhadhun, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is probably the most popular in Ayushmann Khurrana's decorated filmography for many reasons. It is the most well-received Indian thriller film in recent times and boasts critical acclaim and commercial success. Andhadhun was then the actor's highest-grossing film in India and remains his biggest international success, with most of its box office receipts coming from China. After Andhadhun, the actor did not do anything commercially wrong for almost two years.
Badhaai Ho was Ayushmann Khurrana's first successful local film
The huge success of Andhadhun was followed by his biggest domestic hit, which was also a box office hit, Badhaai Ho. The film, which is based on a bizarre situation that arises within a family, was enthusiastically received by the audience and has now found a place in popular culture as well.
After Badhaai Ho, the bold Article 15 turned out to be another film that gave the actor critical and commercial success. This was followed by two great hits, Dream Girl and Bala. Dream Girl remains the actor's highest-grossing domestic film, having earned nearly Rs 140 crore.
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhaan has ended the actor's streak of box office glory, but he is still finding appreciation for his bold path.
Covid-19 has changed the box office dynamics and affected Ayushmann Khurrana the most
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it challenges that actors like Ayushmann Khurrana have had to face. Post-covid-19, the tastes and preferences of the public changed. After the unexpected release of Gulabo Sitabo on digital, mid-budget films started releasing directly on digital, and the theatrical medium became home only to sequels to critically acclaimed films and mass entertainers who had gone the theatrical distance. Films like Chandigarh Kare Aashqui, Anek, Doctor G, and An Action Hero faced heat at the box office. Although they weren't considered bad by any means.
The reception to Ayushmann's films released post-pandemic has been opposite to what it was before the pandemic. Fortunately for him, Dream Girl 2 turned things around and assured him that he still had great theatrical appeal and that the content of the film had to be in sync with what was expected of him.
Ayushmann Khurrana's latest film was a theatrical hit
Dream Girl 2, a sequel to Dream Girl, was a huge success at the box office and grossed over INR 100 crore in India. Although it didn't match the numbers of the first film, the audience's verdict was loud and clear that they would want to see more films from the Dream Girl series.
The prolific actor will have to be very careful about his choices. His films that were so beloved in theaters before the pandemic no longer have much theatrical potential and he will have to search for films that today's potential moviegoers crave. The best thing about Ayushmann is that he loves to take risks and step out of his comfort zone. One can be sure that his films in the future will attract audiences, as they did before the pandemic. It is worth noting that the actor is loved for many other things besides acting. He is an accomplished singer whose songs have struck a chord with millions of people.
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