Men & You: Ayushmann Khurrana Bares It All

From his very first movie, Vicky Donor, Ayushmann Khurrana proved that he’s here to stay...and do a good job of it. The actor, a self-confessed “crooner, donor, composer, jogger and hogger”, talks to Cosmo about rumours, personal style and his perfect date.

Cosmo: We know you’re a singer and composer. What made you choose acting as a career, then?

Ayushmann Khurrana: “I’ve always said that I’m an ‘actor who can also sing’, and not the other way round. Ever since I was in college doing theatre, I’ve wanted to be an actor. Acting has always been my first passion. Expressions first found their way into my life, then my voice.” C: What do you enjoy more? AK: “Acting in beat and rhythm is what I enjoy most!”

 

C: What’s the best and worst part about your job?

AK: “The gratification that comes with being an actor is on a huge scale, so I think that’s the best part. But the flip side is that being a star takes away your personal life, on an equally big scale. So it’s a two-way road.”

 

C: What is the genre of movies you enjoy working on most?

AK: “I like working on movies that are relatable and entertaining in a sensible and creative way. I imagine myself in the shoes of the audience and ask if I’d enjoy this movie in a theatre after paying for the ticket.”

C: Your favourite movies...

AK: “I have a huge list of movies I love—Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, to name a few. I also enjoy watching world cinema.”

 

C: What is your biggest turn on and turn off?

AK: “The beauty and intelligence of a person, combined with humility, turns me on. The biggest turn off would be a person’s relentless ambition to be famous.”

 

C: What do you like doing when you’re not working?

AK: “I like working on my music and reading non-fiction books. Most people don’t know this about me, but I also like writing poetry in Hindi.”

 

C: What’s the one thing you don’t get about women?

AK: “Why do they need to ask if they’re thin when they’re clearly not, and worse, even when they’re actually skinny? It’s just beyond me!”

 

C: How does your wife deal with all the attention you get from other women?

AK: “It makes her happy...that she decided to be with me!”

 

C: What’s your personal style like?

AK: “Comfortable, yet in sync with the times. I believe style is a state of mind. If I’m feeling a bit introvert-ish on one day, I’ll go with blue jeans and a white tee, and if I feel like an extrovert the next day, I’ll go all-out and wear something wacky.”

 

C: How do you deal with all the rumours that come your way?

AK: “I’ve always believed that rumours are meant to be just rumours and are not meant to be taken seriously.”

 

C: How do you prepare yourself for a role, and is it difficult cutting off, once it’s over?

AK: “Acting is just a part of my life, it’s not my entire life. Once the director says ‘pack up’, I’m back to being who I really am.”

 

C: What is the one thing guys always lie about?

AK: “Checking out other women.”

 

C: Describe your perfect date.

AK: “Good music, good conversation, and good food. In that order.” n man