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Ayushmann Khurrana’s journey could easily be mistaken for a Bollywood screenplay — one where grit meets grace, and dreams collide with destiny. Fresh off the success of Thamma, where he plays the haunting Betaal in the MHCU universe, the actor is basking in praise for yet another transformative performance. But even as he enjoys his moment, Ayushmann remains the small-town boy who once stood on a Mumbai street, looking up at a billboard and daring to dream. In a chat with Pinkvilla, the Thamma actor reflected on his early years — the long struggle, the failed auditions, and the unshakable faith that kept him going. From his time in radio and television to that life-changing moment under a Mumbai hoarding, Ayushmann retraced the journey that turned an ordinary boy into one of India’s most relatable stars. From Radio Waves to Silver Screens Before Vicky Donor made him an overnight star in 2012, Ayushmann was already hustling in the entertainment circuit — hosting, anchoring, and lending his voice to radio shows. “I was doing youth shows and working in radio, but films were always the dream,” he recalled. “When I look back, I’m grateful that things happened when they were meant to.” That dream took years of persistence and rejection, but when it came true, it brought along a surreal moment that still feels like destiny to him. When Shah Rukh Khan Became the Dream Every generation has its cinematic hero, and for Ayushmann, it has always been Shah Rukh Khan. Recalling his struggling days, he said, “I used to see a massive Om Shanti Om hoarding near my gym in Andheri. Every day, I’d look up and tell myself, ‘One day, I want to be on that hoarding too.’” Five years later, during the release of Vicky Donor, that very dream came full circle. “Aur jab Vicky Donor release hui, same usi jagah par Vicky Donor ka poster laga hua tha. And uske niche khade hoke I was just crying, ki ye sach mein ho sakta hai?” he shared, smiling at the memory that still overwhelms him. On Finding Inspiration in SRK’s Journey When asked if Shah Rukh Khan continues to inspire him, Ayushmann didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely,” he said. “He made people like us believe that middle-class boys with big dreams could belong in cinema.” It’s a connection that extends far beyond Bollywood — Shah Rukh’s influence has transcended borders, with fans like John Cena, Will Smith, and Hugh Jackman openly admiring his charisma and legacy. What’s Next for the Two Stars While Shah Rukh Khan prepares for Siddharth Anand’s upcoming action spectacle King, co-starring Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan, Ayushmann is gearing up for an equally busy slate. The actor has three films lined up for 2026 — Pati, Patni Aur Woh 2, an untitled Dharma–Sikhya project, and Sooraj Barjatya’s next family drama. A Billboard, A Dream, A Belief For a boy who once stood beneath a hoarding and cried in disbelief, Ayushmann Khurrana’s story remains a rare Bollywood full circle — one built not on luck, but on relentless faith.
