Ayushmann Khurrana says a director once told him ‘you don’t sell’ after he rejected his film offer

Ayushmann Khurrana was told by a director that he was not a bankable actor, after he turned down a film offer.

After a successful debut with Vicky Donor, Ayushmann Khurrana delivered three back-to-back flops - Nautanki Saala, Bewakoofiyaan and Hawaizaada. In an interview, he revealed that he was told by a filmmaker around this time that he does not ‘sell’.

Ayushmann Khurrana delivered three flops after his debut film.

“One of the filmmakers told me, ‘Ayushmann, you don’t sell.’ I had said no to a film and I was told, ‘Ayushmann, you don’t sell, why are you saying no to this film?’ Upkaar jaise kar rahe ho, ki yeh film kar lo (It was like he was doing me a favour by offering me the film),” he told RJ Siddharth Kannan.

With the release of Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Ayushmann bounced back. However, he took his time to select his next project. “I waited for two years after Dum Laga Ke Haisha, I did not have a release for two years. I was just waiting for the right film,” he said.

Ayushmann won the National Award for Best Actor in 2019 for his performance in Andhadhun. He shared the award with Vicky Kaushal, who was honoured for Uri: The Surgical Strike.

Also see: Did you know Ayushmann Khurrana parodied Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan in films? Watch

Currently, Ayushmann is waiting for the release of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, directed by Abhishek Kapoor. He plays Manvinder aka Manu, a weightlifting champion who spends most of his time working out. He falls in love with the new Zumba instructor, Maanvi (Vaani Kapoor), but their relationship hits a roadblock when she reveals to him that she is a trans woman. The film is slated for a theatrical release on December 10.

Ayushmann has a number of films in the pipeline, including Anubhav Sinha’s Anek and Anubhuti Kashyap’s Doctor G. He will also star in Aanand L Rai’s production, Action Hero, directed by Anirudh Iyer. The film will explore an artist’s journey both in front and behind the lens.