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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD MAY 01, 2026 | The Indian Eye 34

AYUSHMANN KHURRANA

How Smart Choices and Versatility

Made Him Bollywood’s Bankable Star

With a carefully curated mix of storytelling and risk-taking, Ayushmann Khurrana has built a
career where credibility translates into consistent box office trust.

OUR BUREAU At the same time, Khurrana is
not limiting himself to one genre. His
Mumbai
collaboration with veteran filmmaker
n an industry often driven by for- Sooraj R Barjatya in Yeh Prem Mol
mula and star power, Ayushmann Liya signals a strategic alignment with
IKhurrana has quietly carved out legacy storytelling. Produced by Ra-
a unique space—one where content, jshri Productions, the film marks the
relatability, and versatility intersect to return of the iconic “Prem” charac-
create one of Bollywood’s most bank- ter—a staple of Barjatya’s cinema.
able stars today. His upcoming slate For Khurrana, stepping into this
of films in 2026 is not just another role is both an opportunity and a test
busy year; it is a reflection of a strat- of his adaptability. The film, slated for
egy that has steadily built audience a November 27 release, positions him
trust and commercial viability. within a tradition of emotionally root-
With three distinctly different ed, family-centric narratives while al-
films—Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Udta lowing him to reinterpret a beloved
Teer, and Yeh Prem Mol Liya—Khu- character for a new generation.
rrana is once again leaning into diver- Simultaneously, projects like
sity, a hallmark of his career. Each Udta Teer promise a more disruptive
project occupies a different narrative and unconventional tone, ensuring
space, from comedy and relationships that his portfolio remains balanced
to quirky storytelling and traditional between mass appeal and creative ex-
family values. For Khurrana, this is perimentation.
not a calculated attempt at variety, What ties all these choices togeth-
but a natural extension of his instincts. er is a consistent philosophy: story-
“I’ve never really approached my telling first. Khurrana’s insistence on
career with the intention of ticking selecting scripts that are entertaining
boxes or consciously trying to appear Actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, and Wamiqa Gabbi on the set yet meaningful has helped him main-
diverse,” he said. “For me, it has always tain a strong connection with audienc-
been about instinct and the kind of sto- of their film Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (ANI photo) es. “I also want to stay true to the kind
ries that move me as an audience first.” of cinema I believe in, starting with
That instinct-driven approach has love dynamic involving three women. this, he said, “I’ve been incredibly for- stories that are entertaining but also
proven to be a winning formula. At a Set in Prayagraj, the film blends con- tunate that audiences have embraced have something to say,” he noted.
time when audiences are increasing- fusion, humour, and situational come- my family comedies over the years. I As Bollywood navigates shifting
ly selective, Khurrana’s filmography dy, reinforcing Khurrana’s stronghold have worked very hard to build this viewer preferences and increasing
stands out for its ability to consistent- in the family entertainment genre. credibility with the content that I have competition from digital platforms,
ly deliver novelty. His understanding The project also highlights his tried to pick to entertain people.” actors who can guarantee both en-
of audience psychology—particularly commercial appeal. Backed by major This credibility translates directly gagement and relatability are becom-
the demand for freshness—has been production houses like T-Series and into business confidence. Producers ing invaluable. Khurrana’s career tra-
central to his rise. B R Studios, the film is positioned and studios are increasingly willing jectory suggests that bankability today
“I’ve always believed that audi- as a theatrical crowd-puller. The re- to back his projects because his films is less about spectacle and more about
ences today are extremely intelligent, cently released song “Roop Di Rani,” come with a built-in audience expec- substance.
as they don’t want to see you doing with its celebratory vibe and wed- tation of quality and relatability. His “If this journey is being seen as ‘di-
the same thing again and again. They ding-ready choreography, signals the emphasis on making films that fami- verse’, I’m grateful for that,” he said.
want to be surprised,” he explained, kind of mass appeal that has become lies can watch together has widened “But for me, it’s really about staying
underlining a philosophy that has synonymous with Khurrana’s cinema. his reach in a diverse market like India. curious and honest to my choices.”
shaped his choices. Yet, what makes him bankable “I like my films to be clean, keep- That honesty—and a sharp un-
This emphasis on novelty is evi- is not just box office pull—it is cred- ing in mind that an entire family, from derstanding of what audiences want—
dent in his 2026 lineup. Pati Patni Aur ibility. Over the years, Khurrana has anywhere in India, can sit down to- has turned Ayushmann Khurrana
Woh Do, set for release on May 15, re- cultivated a reputation for clean, fam- gether to watch it in theatres,” he into not just a versatile performer, but
imagines a familiar relationship trope ily-friendly entertainers that resonate added. “Maybe that’s why they always a dependable business proposition in
but raises the stakes with a complex across demographics. Reflecting on show up for my family entertainers.” modern Hindi cinema.

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