Main bhi Shah Rukh Khan!

Ayushmann Khurrana is just two films old but he has already rubbed a lot of filmmakers the wrong way with his ‘arrogance’. A director who doesn’t want to be named says, “He thinks he is big star like Shah Rukh Khan. If SRK threw his weight around, people would put up with it. But this guy is just two films old and his attitude is putting off filmmakers.”

One of the main reasons for him becoming the new Mr Unpopular is he has been refusing roles, which is his prerogative, but once he refuses the part, he tom-toms the fact all over the town. 

Farah Khan and Rangita Nandy are just two producers he has pissed off. He has been demanding solo leads, changes in script, adding weight to his character, etc. No newcomer makes such demands and the industry being a small place, it is only a matter of time before he stops getting offers altogether.

Coming back to SRK, yes, he was brash and irrelevant in his interviews and his choice of films (Baazigar, Darr) but he was also charming and respectful to everyone in person. And while SRK can get away murder with those dimples and puppy eyes, Ayushmann might end up murdering his career if he doesn’t change his ways soon. Here’s looking at some of the similarities between the two actors... but Ayushmann may be well-advised to not take them too seriously...

North de munde
SRK was born and brought up in Delhi where he completed his education before coming to Mumbai to pursue his dreams.

A hardcore Chandigarh boy, Ayushmann did his schooling and college from his hometown and like SRK he too pursued a masters degree in mass communication, before the Bollywood bug bit him. He  was briefly based in Delhi, where he did a stint as a radio jockey. 

Theatre
SRK was an active member of Barry John’s theatre group TAG (Theatre Action Group) and it was here that he laid the foundation to his acting career.

Ayushmann was deeply involved in theatre for over five years, and has been credited for being the founder member of two active theatre groups in Chandigarh.

Small screen wonder
SRK’s first brush with national fame came with TV shows Dil Dariya, Fauji, Circus and a made-for-TV film, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (where SRK had a minor role).

Ayushmann became famous after winning the MTV Roadies Season 2. He then went on to star in a TV show Kayamath, before becoming a VJ on MTV. Interestingly during his stint on TV, he even played SRK’s character from Chak De! India, in a spoof on the film called MTV Fully Faltoo Movie-Cheque De India. His character was named Fakir Khan!

Popular Hosts: SRK is known for his wicked sense of humour and sharp wit and rocks every stage show that he hosts. Ayushmann has hosted many award shows last year.

Luv Shuv: Shah Rukh was married to his college sweetheart Gauri before his debut film hit the screens.

Ayushmann too married his childhood sweetheart Tahira before his big screen debut in Vicky Donor.

Write points: Shah Rukh is known for his love for writing and he has often admitted that he plans to write an autobiography someday. Ayushmann too has revealed how writing is a hobby for him.

Unconventional hits: The films that catapulted and then cemented SRK’s position in the top league were unconventional. In Darr and Baazigar, he played the anti-hero, but they shot him to instant fame. As for Ayushmann, his Vicky Donor can easily be termed as the baap of unconventional films. As is Nautanki Saala.