It used to be an exclusive club but not anymore: Ayushmann Khurrana on stardom

Ayushmann Khurrana said stardom is now relative, with multiple entertainment platforms creating different kinds of stars. At FICCI Frames in Mumbai, he also discussed theatrical business, script-driven films and his upcoming movie Udta Teer.

In Short

• Ayushmann Khurrana said stardom is no longer an exclusive club
• He said scripts, authenticity and audience connection matter more than star power
• Ayushmann also discussed Udta Teer, which is set to release on October 9

Ayushmann Khurrana said stardom is no longer an exclusive club, arguing that the rise of multiple entertainment platforms has created different kinds of stars for different audiences. Speaking at FICCI Frames in Mumbai about the changing nature of theatrical business, the actor said there is no longer a one-size-fits-all definition of a star.

Khurrana said the script remains the biggest draw, while accessibility and audience connection have become important parts of how actors are perceived. Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, who was also part of the conversation, said that even as stars become more accessible, the story and the overall vibe of a film continue to shape the theatrical experience.

"I believe we are dwelling in multiple universes, where there are multiple worlds of entertainment and there are multiple stars of each world, be it influencers, or YouTubers, etc. There are certain stars who are big and you probably don’t know about them and there are certain people know about them. So, stardom is relative and script is the star. It is not one size fits all," Ayushmann said.

The actor also spoke about accessibility and how different stars choose to engage with their audiences. For Ayushmann, interacting with people has always been an important part of his journey, given his background in radio and television.

"You’ve a star, who is reticent, doesn’t talk to media, or won’t be approachable, while there are certain people who want to interact with people. Like, for me, the latter works for me, because I’ve come from radio background, and been a TV presenter, so I need to talk to people, that’s my need because my stories are rooted, I need to talk to grassroot level people, to keep the artist in me alive. So, stardom is relative, it used to be exclusive club earlier but not anymore," he added.

Story and theatrical pull

Raghavan said that increased accessibility does not necessarily reduce the appeal of watching a film in theatres. He said the story and the impression created by a trailer remain central to whether audiences choose the big-screen experience.

"It is story, the vibe the trailer gives you. Like, the star can be very accessible and I believe if you are watching a film in a theatre, in ten minutes you’ve to forget the star and get into the character. There was a time when I would watch a film because it had Dharmendra and Dev Anand because I loved watching them I didn’t care whether it was good or average film. I don’t have the luxury today because I don’t have Dev Anand and Dharmendra," Raghavan said.

Khurrana said the theatrical business needs films that connect with audiences without depending entirely on star power or inflated budgets. He cited Hanuman Ansh and Obsession as examples of films from different worlds made on smaller budgets.

"Right now, the prime example is Hanuman Ansh and Obsession two different worlds and small-budget films, I think we need to make movies like that. We need to be budget-friendly, connect more with people. It sounds simple but it isn’t," he said.

Going back to his core

For Khurrana, putting the story ahead of the actor has remained central to his film choices. He said that after experimenting with different genres over the last two decades, he now sees himself returning to the kind of cinema that first defined him.

"I’ve always believed that films that I do are stories are bigger than the actor, I always believe that story is the superstar right from my first film. Though in the last 20 odd films that I’ve done, I’ve dabbled into every kind of genre, from a project to run-of-the-mill kind of film. But I’m going back to my core, which is authenticity. If we give authentic subject to people that’s a good draw," Ayushmann said.

He said his upcoming film Udta Teer reflects that return. "I believe in my next film, Udta Teer it is like a reverse uno stuff but I’m excited about it as I’m going back to my core. It is my genre," he concluded.

Udta Teer is slated for a theatrical release on October 9.

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