Heirlooms Are Luxury Because They Can Stand The Test Of Time: Ayushmann Khurrana

Luxury is a term that holds different meanings for different people. How do you define luxury? 
The true essence of luxury is in the heirloom. For me heirlooms are luxury because they can stand the test of time. 

I want to invest in and preserve some watches and jewellery for my next of kin. I have had a middle class up-bringing and grew to be privileged, so I’m extremely fortunate that I can even think of these things for my family. It is something that I could only dream of, and am now grateful to have achieved at this stage.

In your opinion, how has the definition of ‘style’ evolved in the film industry, and how do you align your personal style with the evolving trends?
Style is cyclical, disruptive and subversive. The definition of style has entirely transformed not just in the film industry but across our country over the past two decades. With brands going global -- making a mark in India and people seeing trends from all over the world, fashion sensibilities continue to evolve. 
My interest in fashion grew because I entered showbiz and had to learn to create my unique style, which happened with the help of some of the most brilliant minds in fashion. 

For me, it is extremely important to be comfortable while being stylish. It is about expressing my individualism with comfort.

As a youth icon, many young fans look up to you not only for your acting skills but also for your values. How do you balance the weight of that responsibility with staying authentic to who you are?
I would like to thank all the people that connect with me and feel I am someone to look up to, it’s an honour -- especially with the generation that will define the future of our country. 

Talking about being authentic, that is at the core of everything that I do. I believe that only when you live the truest version of yourself can you impact someone else’s life. I pick projects that represent something larger than myself, that tell stories, which connect with people and make them feel a range of emotions. So, for me honestly, it is all about being true to myself and the rest follows.

Your choice of films has always been unconventional and path-breaking. Could you share with us some details about your upcoming projects and what excites you the most about them?
I can’t share a lot until we announce new work officially, but I can tell you that the films I have coming up will show me in diverse roles. I have picked them with the intention of broadening my horizons and delivering new content that entertains our audiences. I want to surprise the audience with the unexpected. 

On the music front as well, I have a few singles that will release soon. ‘Jachdi’ just dropped last month and I am happy with the love it’s receiving. It’s the love from the people that always excites an artist like me, my goal as an entertainer is fulfilled when people come together to enjoy and celebrate my work, and I can provide a collective community experience.

Looking back at your filmography, which project stands out as the most memorable or impactful for you, and why?
All my projects hold a very special place in my heart -- each of them taught me a lot. With regards to my filmography, I have always believed that cinema has the power to drive change and ignite important conversations. Through my work, I always aim to inspire a change and leave a lasting impact, both on and off screen. Every film that I have done is special to me and I am grateful that most of them have left a mark on the minds and hearts of people and contributed to the box office of the Hindi film industry year after year.

With your multifaceted talents as an actor, singer, and performer, how do you approach creativity in your different roles? Do you have a different mindset for each?
My creative process for every art form is very different, whether it is acting, singing, poetry or even shayaris. With acting, it’s more about being collaborative -- with your co-actor, director and the team on set. I also sometimes like to build a context for my characters’ life, which helps me portray my role with much more authenticity. However, when it comes to music -- it is very different. I like to draw examples from my life -- maybe not something I have been a part of but stories I have heard and other interesting experiences. That is a much more introspective process and completely different from anything else. At the end of the day, it’s about switching gears on how you want to portray a story, it’s all about storytelling.

How do you manage to stay grounded and maintain balance in an industry that is often associated with glamour and fast-paced living?
I think the key to staying grounded is to surround yourself with people who are real with you. My college friends who I acted in plays and theatre with,  and my family keep things real with me. I have a friend who I used to watch a lot of movies with, till date he is very critical of all my work and I get the no-filter feedback from him. These people are my biggest anchors because they treat me like they did when I first knew them.

As someone who has a unique voice in the industry, what message would you like to give to today’s youth regarding success, failure, and staying true to one’s passion?
The youth of our country are very smart and are already on the path to take our country higher. If I had to say one thing, I would just like to tell them to follow their dreams with passion. Today's youth have a lot more opportunities than a few years back, which gives them the power to choose their future, thereby contributing to the future of our country. They must choose wisely. Discover your passion and see it through, let nothing come in between you and your dreams, is the only bit of advice I would like to share.