Ayush is the Mann

Ayushmann Khurrana may just be one-film-old but the actor is certainly going places with both his acting and singing careers taking off. His debut film Vicky Donor which also won him two popular awards — best playback singer male and best debut male — has opened doors for him as the actor signed a three-film contract with a leading production house. We catch him to talk about his plans for the year.

How do plan to balance your twin career aspirations?
Usually Punjabi songs are thought to be high-voltage peppy numbers. But Pani da rang broke that perception with its soft rock and soulful appeal. In Nautanki Saala, I have sung two songs — Sadi gali aa ja and Tu hi tu. It’s not that I have to make a choice, I love multi-tasking.

You have bagged a three-film contract with Yashraj Films...
I was cautious about signing my next film after the success of Vicky Donor. Unlike television where viewers have a small attention span, in films you are as good as your last movie. Aditya (Chopra) noticed this and offered me the contract. My first film with the banner will be directed by Nupur Asthana, with Sonam Kapoor as my co-star. It is a urban, romantic comedy about two lovers in the time of recession and will be shot in Delhi. The other two films are yet to take off.

Do you believe in aligning yourself to a clan or a group in Bollywood?
It is not an exclusive contract. Later in the year, I will start work on Shoojit Sircar’s Hamara Bajaj and the female lead is yet to be finalised. Parineeti Chopra and Yami Gautam are the leading contenders. Currently, Shoojit is busy shooting for Madras Cafe with John Abraham. I will always look up to John and Shoojit as my mentors and this deal changes nothing. Working for YRF was always on my bucket list.

What went wrong between you and Kunal Kohli? He said on Twitter that you wanted to work with A-list actresses only?
Enough has been written about it. I have nothing against him and at a recent awards function we hugged as he congratulated me. The fact that I am working with a newcomer, Pooja Salvi, in Nautanki Saala is proof enough. Either a superstar works or a super script. Since I am not a superstar, I would rather go for a super script.