Ayushmann Khurrana has become a sought-after actor in the last decade, with game-changing films that have broadened the frontiers of Hindi cinema and altered the role of the Bollywood hero.
The ever-unpredictable actor stars in this week’s huge Bollywood movie Anek, an action thriller in which he reunites with filmmaker Anubhav Sinha following their remarkable collaboration in the 2019 film Article 15.
Eastern Eye decided to prepare fans for Anek by rating every film he has been in during his career as a TV personality turned Bollywood star. See where your favorite Ayushmann-starrer ranks, from enjoyable blockbusters to ground-breaking films to commercial flops to underappreciated films.
Bewakoofiyaan (2014): The actor co-stars with Sonam Kapoor in his third film, which has an intriguing idea but fails to convert into a compelling plot, resulting in a box office flop. In a formula-driven picture that never gets out of second gear, he portrays a poor guy who would go to any length to win over the disapproving father of the woman he loves.
Hawaizaada (2015): Despite being artistically stunning, the actor’s fourth feature was possibly his worst mistake to date. The play is based on the claims of Indian inventor Shivkar Bapuji Talpade, who claimed to have built the first airplane to fly in 1895. This slow-moving video was a waste of time because there is no historical evidence that it happened.
Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017): The actor has tried out-of-the-box themes in the past, but a few of them haven’t worked out, and this sixth film was one of them. He played a man who can’t get over his childhood sweetheart alongside Parineeti Chopra in the film. It didn’t connect with spectators, and his sixth film’s lone redeeming grace was a great soundtrack.
Nautanki Saala! (2012): The actor’s second picture received little attention and flopped at the box office. The comedy-drama, which is based on the famous French film Apres Vous from 2003, follows an actor who tries to reconcile a suicidal man with the lady he loves but falls in love with her. In a picture that doesn’t quite live up to its potential, there is some brilliant comedy and a fantastic music.
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020): The actor’s 14th film was a spiritual successor to Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan (2017), however although having a novel idea, it failed to meet expectations. Although the narrative of a gay man and his partner attempting to win over their parents had problems, it earned generally excellent reviews. It has strong performances from a talented cast and is yet another genre-defying film.
Gulabo Sitabo (2020): When the Covid-19 epidemic swept the world, Ayushmann’s 15th feature was one of the first to have a direct-to-digital distribution. In this fascinating narrative about a greedy old man and his renter living in a dilapidated home, Ayushmann plays opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The comedy-drama earned positive reviews, but it lacked the commercial appeal of his previous works.
Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan (2017): Ayushmann took the classic Bollywood hero out of his comfort zone in this taboo-busting flick. He portrays an engaged man dealing with erectile difficulties and contemplating his marriage decision. The actor’s ninth picture was hailed for its innovative narrative, and it may have earned greater accolades.
Ayushmann played a rugged Punjabi bodybuilder who falls in love with a gorgeous woman and discovers she is a trans-woman in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), one of the most groundbreaking commercial Bollywood films ever. His 16th picture garnered positive reviews but did not do as much as planned, and it remains a unique offering that split viewers.
Bala (2019) is a satirical black comedy about a man who disguises his baldness in order to attract a woman. The film, which also addresses colorism, earned mixed reviews but was a great box office hit. In his thirteenth picture, the actor was given yet another unusual character.
Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) was the actor’s seventh film, which received numerous accolades and grossed a lot of money at the box office. In the fascinating love triangle about a lady who falls for a writer and confuses someone else for him, he co-stars with Kriti Sanon and Rajkummar Rao. The film’s winning music complements the film’s great entertainment value.
Vicky Donor (2012): The actor made his Bollywood debut in the multi-award-winning romantic comedy Vicky Donor, which defied expectations and went on to be a huge hit. He portrays a sperm donor who gets affluent, but as he falls in love, his unique profession comes back to haunt him. The tale deftly addresses a significant societal issue while being entertaining, paving the path for future films of this type.
Dream Girl (2019): For his 12th feature, the actor created one of Hindi cinema’s most distinctive heroes. He portrays a struggling actor who works at a premium phone line and disguises himself as a lady. It doesn’t take long for unwary guys phoning in seeking company to fall in love with the lady they mistakenly believe is a woman. It was one of the year’s highest-grossing and most lucrative films.
Badhaai Ho (2018), the actor’s tenth film, provided moviegoers with yet another novel tale and was a box office smash. He portrays a young man who is shocked to learn that his middle-aged mother is pregnant and must deal with the consequences. The brilliantly written comedy won a slew of prizes and inspired a spiritual sequel, Badhaai Do (2022).
Article 15 (2019): The actor’s fantastic 11th film was undoubtedly the greatest Bollywood release of the year, allowing him to demonstrate a serious side to his outstanding acting talent. The critically acclaimed neo-noir crime thriller centred on a newly recruited police officer who investigates the abduction of three girls from a tiny community conveyed a captivating tale while also bringing attention to an important societal issue.
Andhadhun (2018): There’s a reason this black humour criminal thriller has been adapted in many languages and is possibly Ayushmann’s most successful film. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered by many to be the finest of the actor’s career.
