Ayushmann Khurrana, born Nishant Khurrana on September 14, 1984, is an accomplished Indian actor and singer primarily active in Hindi cinema. Celebrated for his portrayals of everyday individuals challenging societal conventions, Khurrana has garnered numerous accolades, including a National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards. He has consistently featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list for 2013 and 2019 and earned recognition as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people globally in 2020.

Khurrana’s journey began with a victory in the second season of MTV Roadies in 2004, leading him into a successful career in hosting. His film debut transpired in 2012 with the romantic comedy “Vicky Donor,” where his portrayal of a sperm donor earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Despite facing initial setbacks, he rebounded with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” in 2015.

Khurrana solidified his position in the industry with a string of successful films, encompassing comedy-dramas like “Bareilly Ki Barfi” (2017), “Shubh Mangal Saavdhan” (2017), “Badhaai Ho” (2018), “Dream Girl” (2019), and “Bala” (2019). Additionally, he excelled in the thriller “Andhadhun” (2018) and the crime drama “Article 15” (2019). His remarkable portrayals as a blind pianist in “Andhadhun” and an upright police officer in “Article 15” earned him consecutive Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actor.

He also clinched the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the former. In 2020, he headlined “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan,” marking a pioneering moment as the first mainstream Bollywood film centered around openly gay characters. After a series of critically acclaimed but commercially underperforming projects, Khurrana made a triumphant return with the sequel “Dream Girl 2” (2023).

Early Life and Education:

Khurrana was born into a Punjabi Hindu family on September 14, 1984, in Chandigarh to parents Poonam and P. Khurrana. Originally named Nishant Khurrana, his name was changed to Ayushmann Khurrana when he was just 3 years old. He pursued his education at Guru Nanak Khalsa College and completed his schooling at St. John’s High School, Chandigarh, and DAV College, Chandigarh. Khurrana pursued English literature and earned a master’s degree in Mass Communication from Panjab University’s School of Communication Studies.

During his college years, he actively participated in theater, including performing in plays at Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. He was also a founding member of the theater groups “Aaghaaz” and “Manchtantra” at DAV College, which remain active in Chandigarh. Khurrana was known for conceptualizing and acting in street plays and received awards for his portrayal of Ashwatthama in Dharamvir Bharati’s “Andha Yug” at various national college festivals such as Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay), OASIS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani), and St. Bedes Shimla.

Career:

Ayushmann Khurrana’s career is marked by versatility and a string of successful films. He initially gained fame as an anchor on television, winning the second season of MTV Roadies in 2004. However, his breakthrough came in the film industry. His debut film, “Vicky Donor” (2012), was a critical and commercial success, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his role as a sperm donor.

Khurrana’s career continued to flourish with films like “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” (2015), “Bareilly Ki Barfi” (2017), “Shubh Mangal Saavdhan” (2017), “Badhaai Ho” (2018), “Dream Girl” (2019), and “Bala” (2019). His performances in “Andhadhun” (2018) and “Article 15” (2019) earned him consecutive Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actor, and he also received the National Film Award for Best Actor for “Andhadhun.”

In 2020, Khurrana starred in “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan,” a groundbreaking Bollywood film that centered on openly gay characters. Despite some box office setbacks, Khurrana made a commercial comeback with “Dream Girl 2” in 2023, proving his versatility and appeal in the industry.

Movies:

Awards and Nominations:

Ayushmann Khurrana has received several awards and nominations for his work in the film industry. Here are some of the notable awards and nominations he has received:

National Film Awards:

1. 2019: National Film Award for Best Actor for “Andhadhun”

Filmfare Awards:

1. 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for “Vicky Donor”
2. 2019: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (Male) for “Andhadhun”
3. 2020: Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (Male) for “Article 15”

Other Awards:

1. Zee Cine Awards: He has won multiple Zee Cine Awards for various films.
2. Star Screen Awards: He has received several Star Screen Awards.

Khurrana has also been included in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2020.

Personal Life:

Ayushmann Khurrana was born on September 14, 1984, in Chandigarh, India, to parents Poonam and P. Khurrana. He was originally named Nishant Khurrana but had his name changed to Ayushmann when he was three years old. Khurrana pursued his education in Chandigarh, attending St. John’s High School and later DAV College. He majored in English literature and holds a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the School of Communication Studies at Panjab University.

During his college days, Ayushmann Khurrana actively participated in theater and was involved in several plays, including those at Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. He was also a founding member of theater groups called “Aaghaaz” and “Manchtantra” at DAV College in Chandigarh. His involvement in street plays and theater earned him recognition and awards, including a Best Actor award for his role as Ashwatthama in Dharamvir Bharati’s play “Andha Yug.”

In addition to his successful career in the film industry, Ayushmann Khurrana is known for his poetry and singing talent. He is married to Tahira Kashyap, with whom he has two children. Tahira is also a writer and filmmaker. Their relationship has been praised for its resilience, especially during Tahira’s battle with cancer, which she openly shared with the public. Ayushmann Khurrana is celebrated not only for his acting skills but also for his progressive choices in film roles and his contributions to social causes.