Ayushmann Khurrana on why he said yes to Thamma: 'I do commercial films because they give me courage to choose films I really want to do'
Ayushmann Khurrana credits his theatre roots for his socially conscious films, using commercial hits like Thamma to fuel his passion for making meaningful, taboo-breaking cinema.
Last Updated: 12.58 PM, Dec 29, 2025
When it comes to Indian cinema, Ayushmann Khurrana has become practically a byword for controversial subjects. During a recent interview with Cosmopolitan India, the actor discussed his career path, the impact of his heritage, and the enormous financial success of his most recent film, Thamma.
Ayushmann Khurrana's daring choices
Khurrana's filmography is filled with daring choices, touching on themes such as casteism in Article 15 (2019) and premature baldness in Bala (2019), gender identity in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), and erectile dysfunction in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), among others. The actor claims that his social message leanings are an unintended consequence of his background in theatre performance rather than a strategic business decision.
The actor told the magazine, "The thing is, in theatre, we always talk about social issues…we make plays around them. And I think this [his on-screen persona] is an extension of my theatre personality." For more than ten years, he has been able to strike a balance between critical success and financial feasibility thanks to this foundation.
Balancing diversity with "taboo-breaking" labels
Khurrana is aware of the importance of diversity and wants to avoid being stereotyped, even though he is known for "taboo-breaking" films. While he does enjoy experimenting with other genres, he considers his message-driven films to be his main personality.
He says, "It’s my staple as a genre. Every once in a while, I venture out into uncharted territories with films like Andhadhun (2018), An Action Hero (2022), and even Thamma. Probably 30 per cent of my films don’t carry a message," in response to the concern of being stereotyped.
Art with value
Still, Khurrana hasn't wavered from his principal creative objective. "While I must take that detour, my staple genre has to be creating art with certain value," he continues, stressing that making significant cinema is still his first aim.
The release of Thamma in 2025 was a watershed moment for Khurrana. The film, a supernatural drama that departs from his typical realistic setting, has become a worldwide phenomenon, earning over ₹200 crores. Dream Girl 2 (2023) had a successful run, earning over 100 crore.
Commercial hits as a shield
These commercially successful, high-budget projects are just a means to a goal for Khurrana; they give him the confidence to take chances in other areas of his career. He says, "It’s my biggest film ever, in terms of scale and the release. Thamma was a no-brainer. It’s a broad-stroke commercial film, and the reason I do such films is because it gives me the courage to choose films I really want to do."
Khurrana plans to keep making the smaller, more socially conscious films that have made his name by tapping into the economic might of massively commercialised filmmaking.
Ayushmann Khurrana FAQs:
Q: Was the movie Thamma a hit or a flop?
A: Thamma is a major commercial success. Released in 2025, the supernatural drama has grossed over ₹200 crores worldwide, marking Ayushmann Khurrana's biggest film in terms of scale and release
Q: What is Ayushmann Khurrana's upcoming movie after Thamma?
A: Following the success of Thamma, Ayushmann Khurrana is set to appear in Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (scheduled for early 2026), a film with veteran director Sooraj Barjatya, and a genre-breaking collaboration between Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Posham Pa Pictures.