This Bollywood actor’s career becomes a case study in the UK

Several Bollywood celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have gained global fame. Now, Ayushmann Khurrana, a National Award-winning actor, has become the subject of a case study in the UK.

London’s Canvas8, a behavioral insights firm, has explored ‘Brand Ayushmann Khurrana’s’ influence in India and among Indians worldwide. The study, ‘How actor Ayushmann Khurrana brings advocacy to Bollywood’, examines Khurrana’s connection with Indian audiences and his status as a relatable and socially aware figure.

The study highlights Khurrana’s unique path in Bollywood, noting his penchant for unconventional roles such as a cross-gender actor in ‘Dream Girl’, a male gynecology student in ‘Doctor G’, and a sperm donor in ‘Vicky Donor’. It emphasizes his willingness to take on roles others might reject or overlook.

Khurrana’s growing fame includes being listed in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020 and receiving the Time 100 Impact Award in 2023 for his child rights work with UNICEF. His film career over 11 years has garnered numerous awards, attributed to his characters’ societal relevance.

The case study also points out a shift in Indian cinema towards more realistic, unconventional characters post-pandemic, a trend Khurrana has been a significant part of. His film ‘Dream Girl 2’ in 2023, which broke into the 100 crore club, exemplifies this change, showcasing the rising demand for thought-provoking content in Indian films.