North vs South mindset isn't the right step forward: Ayushmann Khurrana

Time of India

5 hours ago

I've found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It's my personal ambition to be very original, says Ayushmann.
Bollywood actor
Ayushmann Khurrana
was recently in Ooty, shooting for Thama (the forthcoming film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe), and spoke to us about his experience filming for the first time in Tamil Nadu, why there shouldn't be a north vs.
south mindset in the film industry, on Hindi cinema's evolution in the post-pandemic era and more…
Have the lines between the north and the south film industries blurred of late?
The north vs. south mindset isn't the right step forward for the Indian film industry. We're moving towards a more unified Indian film industry. It's an exciting time to be an actor, as collaboration is becoming the cornerstone for change. We saw what Atlee did with SRK in Jawan and what Nag Ashwin did by bringing together Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan sir in one frame! These projects are bringing together the best of both worlds!
Your films like Vicky Donor , Article 15 , Andhaadhun , and Badhaai Ho have been remade in Tamil. Have you seen any of these? What did you think about them?
I have seen some of the remakes, but I can definitely say that these films being remade in the South is definitely a moment of incredible appreciation for me as an artiste.
There is no bigger validation than seeing my films crossing over and entertaining people across my country.
Any south film that you'd love to remake?
I'm not really a believer of remaking films. I feel once a film is made, we should let that be. It's my personal choice to not look for remakes and keep an eye on new and unique concepts that people have never seen me in before. I'm sure there are a lot of films that could be remade in Hindi, but I would love to do original content, like how I've been doing so far.
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You're working with Rashmika Mandanna, who is from the south. Do you see any difference between working with an artiste from the south vis-à-vis someone from Bollywood?
Working with Rashmika has been a delight. She brings a fresh energy to the set, which is needed when you have hectic shoot days. She ensures she knows all the nuances of her scene before she steps on set. Her work ethic is incredible. In terms of the acting process, every actor has a different process and that is not restricted to the industry they come from — but what remains constant is the commitment to the craft.
These days, we routinely hear that Hindi cinema is no longer the force it used to be. Do you think there's truth in this opinion?
Hindi cinema delivered all-time blockbusters with Pathaan , Jawan , and Animal in a span of 12 months.
We also had Stree 2 and Chhaava recently. I guess that answers the question! Every industry goes through its churn, and Hindi cinema, like any industry, is going through an evolution where it will shape a new identity in a post-pandemic world.
What's your take on the notion that the films that were successful before COVID, especially the ones revolving around middleclass lives, aren't theatre-friendly anymore?
The pandemic has precipitated a change in content viewing patterns. No one wants to watch something that's been seen before or, for lack of a better word, vanilla. Anything mediocre won't work anymore.
To me, that's exciting because it gets us out of our comfort zone. Look at Laapataa Ladies , 12th Fail , The Kerala Story , Munjya or Sita Ramam — these were rooted stories, not hugely budgeted extravaganzas, and they still found their audience.
So, if the story hits home, people will show up.
You have an identity as a representative of the middle-class man. Has this image narrowed the stories that come to you?
I've found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It's my personal ambition to be very original. A good film will bring in audiences, and I try to look for the best scripts that our industry is making. In Thama , the audience will see me in a different avatar yet find the quirk that they see in my movies, which has become my calling card!
On his experience shooting in Ooty...
Ooty provided the perfect backdrop for Thama . Every time you turn your head, you see greenery and mountains covered with clouds. This is also the first film I have shot in Tamil Nadu. I have always been a fan of the hospitality and culture of the state. We had a tight schedule, so I didn't get time to visit popular spots in Ooty. However, I had good local cuisine. I can't wait to return and visit the place properly.