Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana has established himself as the poster boy of content cinema in India today. His blockbuster social entertainers have brought taboo topics out in the open for public discussion and this has earned him the tag of one of the ‘Most Influential People in the World’ by the prestigious TIME magazine.
Ayushmann’s next, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, is with Abhishek Kapoor who has directed films like Kai Po Che, Rock On, and Kedarnath. The film-maker says that while the industry has always either made Tent pole or parallel cinema, Ayushmann has given birth to the big ‘Content-pole’ cinema that is pulling audiences, who want exceptional quality of entertainment, to theatres.
Abhishek proudly says, “We’ve been led to believe that there’s conventional tent pole cinema and then there’s parallel cinema but thanks to actors like Ayushmann Khurrana that gap is being bridged gracefully, giving rise to a new wave of content-pole cinema.”
He adds, “What’s wonderful about Ayushmann is that right since his debut, he’s championed the art of taking the road less travelled. This hasn’t just granted him the credibility of his fans but also the limitless scope to experiment.”
Abhishek explains how Ayushmann perfectly fits the role of a gym trainer from Chandigarh in his romantic film. He says, “I believe that creating compelling characters is paramount to being a filmmaker. Manu’s character had stayed with me for over two years before the film went on the floor but Ayushmann walked in like a breeze and made it his own in no time. He fit the part like a glove and enriched it further with his own nuances.”
The director and the Bollywood star hit it off brilliantly because they share the common goal of presenting brilliant and disruptive content to audiences worldwide. Abhishek says, “He and I connected mentally and emotionally instantly because we have the same passion to present something fresh and new for audiences to connect with. We pushed each other to deliver the best film that we could have possibly made.”
He adds, “I’m glad to creatively collaborate with an actor who is sensitive, genuine, and deeply opinionated. He enjoys a special place in the hearts of his fans because he made them a promise and kept delivering on it relentlessly. With Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, I’m bolstering that promise while also backing it on a large-scale to let the audiences relish this experience in all its glory.”
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, produced by T-Series and Guy In The Sky Pictures, also stars Vaani Kapoor and is set to release on December 10, 2021.