Addressing a panel discussion alongside filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and Denzil Dias (VP and Managing Director, India Theatrical at Warner Bros. Discovery), Khurrana argued that the proliferation of YouTubers, social media creators, and multi-universe digital platforms has permanently decentralized fame and shattered the traditional monopoly held by Bollywood's elite.
"We Are Dwelling in Multiple Universes": Deconstructing Celebrity
Khurrana highlighted that audience attention has splintered across micro-ecosystems, making monolithic mass idolatry obsolete:
“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 very big, and you probably don't even know about them, but there are certain people who know about them. So, I think stardom is all relative. It used to be an exclusive club earlier, but not anymore.”
He noted that theatrical footfalls are now driven by authentic execution rather than pre-packaged aura, reinforcing his long-standing creative thesis:
“I always believe that the script is the star more than anything else. It is not like one size fits all. You will have one star who is completely reticent, who will not talk to media, who won’t be available, who will not be approachable. But for me, staying approachable is essential.”
The Radio & TV Roots: Why Grassroots Access Fuels His Craft
Reflecting on his journey from a radio jockey and television host to a National Award-winning theatrical headliner, Khurrana explained why he deliberately rejects the traditional ivory-tower celebrity mystique:
The Need to Listen:
“I come from a radio background, a television presenter. So, I can talk to people, I need to be approachable. That's my need because my stories are rooted; I need to talk to the grassroots level to keep the artist in me alive.”
The "Ayushmann Khurrana Genre": Khurrana acknowledged that while he has experimented with mainstream commercial projects across his 20-plus film filmography, his true box-office currency has always stemmed from taboo-breaking, human-scale narratives where ordinary middle-class protagonists anchor extraordinary circumstances.
Returning to the Core with 'Udta Teer'
Touching upon his next theatrical release—the Karan Johar and Guneet Monga-backed spy-comedy Udta Teer, arriving in cinemas on October 9, 2026—the actor promised a return to authentic, idiosyncratic humor:
The "Reverse Uno" Premise:
“I’m going back to my core, which is authenticity. If we give authentic subjects to people, that’s a good draw. 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 genre.”
Posthumous Tribute: The film holds emotional significance for the industry as it features the final screen appearance of late actor Mukul Dev.
Industry Take:
Ayushmann Khurrana’s assessment at FICCI Frames articulates what theatrical analysts have observed throughout the 2024–2026 box-office cycles: audiences no longer pay for celebrity presence alone. By recognizing digital creators as equal claimants to cultural stardom and placing the script above individual stardom, Khurrana championed a pragmatic, story-first paradigm for the modern Hindi film industry.
