Unlike his earlier films, where Ayushmann Khurrana came across as the simple guy-next-door who more often than not is a victim of circumstances, in Article 15, he has managed to break that image and how! A week post its release, the socio-political drama continues to garner positive reviews and reactions.
Ayushmann, who essayed the protagonist IPS officer Ayan Ranjan, couldn’t be more thrilled. “This is the first time I am playing a mature guy who is trying to be in control of the situation. He is not a victim but is trying to be a master of circumstances,” he says.
The positive response it has received, not just from within the industry but also from people from different walks of life, is giving the actor the encouragement to do more such socially-relevant films. “From civil servants to ministers to people who are actively involved in student politics, I am getting messages from all the corners. It’s overwhelming and satisfying at the same time,” says the powerhouse performer, who has played a cop for the first time in his career in the Anubhav Sinha directorial. The 34-year-old admits that he and the filmmaker expected the movie to be treated with respect once it released. “We knew there would be a lot of discussions around it because it is one of its kind. Nobody has discussed caste so blatantly in Indian cinema. It’s an eye-opener for a lot of people, especially in urban India, as they think casteism doesn’t exist in the country. I am glad that the audience has evolved and they are looking for something different and path-breaking at the same time,” he signs off.
