‘I didn’t think about the film’s opening’: Ayushmann Khurrana reveals his reasons to do Article 15

Given that the first-day numbers indicate a star’s drawing power at the ticket windows, many B-Town biggies expect their movies to open big. However, Ayushmann Khurrana, who has delivered back-to-back hits like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, AndhaDhun and Badhaai Ho, believes in doing things differently. While conventionally, an actor on such a roll would prefer to play safe with films that capitalise on his stardom, Ayushmann opted for Article 15 because he believes in associating with good cinema that either gives audiences pure entertainment or triggers a social conversation.

“As an artiste, you sometimes get a film that demands you to back it wholeheartedly because it’s trying to make a strong statement, and it is trying to affect social change by starting a conversation,” he says, adding, “The subject of Article 15 compelled me to put my voice behind it because it is cinema that needs to be made and seen. It is cinema for the entire country, for the youth to notice.”

Further, the actor reveals why he wasn’t thinking about picking a film that could open at least as big as his last release, Badhaai Ho, which went on to become a blockbuster. He says, “When you get material this strong and important, you don’t think of how big the opening will be, how much the film will eventually make. You do it because it is your responsibility. I did Article 15 because it was important for me to show India a very significant social movie and that’s all that mattered.”

Stating that today he’s not in a position where he is judged by his first-day-box-office numbers and cinegoers have been kind to appreciate the kind of stories he’s telling, he sums up, saying, “The love and acceptance from audiences that I have got for my films have empowered me to take these decisions and stand for good cinema that is extremely relevant. I know that my film will entertain audiences and also compel them to think.”