Jab Khuli Kitaab actor Aparshakti Khurana on his 10-year journey in Bollywood: 'Haven't been tied down to any particular plan or range' | Exclusive

On the eve of the highly anticipated release of Jab Khuli Kitaab, the air in the digital space feels a little more nostalgic and a lot more soulful. Set to premiere on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium) tomorrow, March 6, 2026, the film promises a rare blend of small-town charm and the poignant reality of a long-married couple seeking a divorce in the sunset of their lives. For Aparshakti Khurana, the project was more than just another role; it was a homecoming of sorts. Stepping into the shoes of a lawyer—a profession he holds a degree in—the actor found himself navigating the winding roads of Ranikhet under the mentorship of director Saurabh Shukla.

But beyond the legal jargon and the scenic Uttarakhand backdrop, this film offered him a masterclass in life, courtesy of industry heavyweights Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia. In this exclusive interview with OTTplay, Khurana shares his thoughts on the "instant yes" that led him to this project, the spiritual and practical wisdom he inherited from his legendary co-stars, and why a story about the emotional agency of the older generation is precisely what Indian families should watch together in 2026.

I would like to know how you got into this character that involves cross-generational interaction, and what the story is about.

Aparshakti Khurana: See, first of all, I think I want to start with the fact that I’m a lawyer by education myself in real life. So, half of the things become easier there. Secondly, I think the moment you are transported to Ranikhet in Uttarakhand… Once you reach there and become part of the overall vibe of that small town, of course, you have to wire yourself accordingly that, okay, this is how a small-town boy will think.

ALSO READ: Jab Khuli Kitaab trailer: Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia seek divorce after 50 years for a new chapter with Aparshakti Khurana as their bewildered mediator

Apart from that, half of the things—catching the character, catching the dialect, changing your DNA—half of those things are already written in the writing itself, you know? In the description, all those things are written: what your gait should be while walking, your overall body language. You can’t be a very confident big-town lawyer… so, yeah, half of the things are pretty much there in the description of the writing.

And I think there, Saurabh Shukla Sir, who is otherwise a very powerful actor and turned himself into a writer and a director, wrote everything quite capably for all of us to perform in a very organic way.

Did you see the play or know about it before being cast?

Aparshakti Khurana: No, I didn't see the play. Of course, I had an idea; of course, I knew about the play, but I hadn't seen it. I was narrated the script for the film directly, to which I quickly said yes in the very first meeting itself. Often actors take time… but for me, it was an instant yes. Only because his homework was so complete as a writer and director, and also the kind of experience he comes with in the overall upbringing of an artist.

And in reality, if seen, not only the writing of my character, but each and every character is so well-defined and so well thought out that in a small town, a family would be just like that, you know? And it was beautiful to see that, and rather, it’s more beautiful to see that coming to life.

And you're working with stalwarts like Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia. I think that's a dream for many artists as well.

Aparshakti Khurana: It can’t get better than that. I mean, Pankaj Kapur, sir, is… His filmography is really legendary; his body of work makes him totally at par with the likes of Irrfan Khan and all in the country. And I think sharing the screen space with him and being with him on set for a month is such a treat and such a blessing. It’s a blessing for an artist to get a chance to work and spend time with such a big artist, be it Pankaj Sir or Dimple Kapadia Ma'am.

Dimple ji is, well, she’s exceptionally beautiful; that’s a different thing altogether… she’s a very beautiful artist inside and out. Apart from that, the kind of discipline she comes with is really unprecedented.

Is there a valuable unspoken lesson that you learned from observing them while they performed the scenes, rather than through direct conversation?

Aparshakti Khurana: I spoke to Pankaj sir a lot, and Dimple mam as well. But from Dimple Ma'am, I got a bit of a spiritual inclination towards life. And from Pankaj Sir, I would say that he has given some amazing life lessons. He has reached the level and the age of an artist where there isn't much more left to achieve. So he said that no matter how many masks you wear, no matter how much planning and plotting you do, no matter how much you think you’ll do this and then that will happen, he says everything will remain as it is. Just believe in the process, believe in the craft, and have fun. And I think that’s something which is going to stay with me forever.

Why do you believe that it is important for audiences in 2026 to see a story that prioritises the emotional agency of the older generation?

Aparshakti Khurana: This definitely goes beyond just another love story. First of all, when have we ever heard that after living a whole life and living it so well, after settling the family and everything, such an old couple wants to move in for a divorce? So, this is much beyond a love story and carries human emotion very correctly.

Apart from that, what makes this script a complete winner is that, look, a film that everyone can sit and watch together with the family is very important. ZEE5 has given us all kinds of content… but if you want to watch something that the whole family can sit and watch together and laugh and cry at the correct emotion and correct beat all together, then I think Jab Khuli Kitaab is something which is so pure in its upbringing that everyone will enjoy watching it.

How do you internally balance this box office rush or the long-tail longevity that OTT provides totally?

Aparshakti Khurana: As I just told you, what Pankaj sir said is going to stay with me forever: that all this planning and plotting and—for lack of a better word—conspiring to set your life perfectly, I think it all really falls flat beyond a point. No one can conclude this, and especially not in an artist’s life. The bottom line is to enjoy the process.

And the kind of lively person I am, I enjoy doing all kinds of work. So I do all kinds of work with all kinds of people, and I don't need to say this; you’ve seen my filmography yourself. Even though it's been only eight or ten years since I came to the city, the 15-20 films I've done so far will tell you that I haven't been tied down to any particular plan or range.

And not only that, it's also about hosting, singing, live performances, etc. And I enjoy doing different kinds of things at different times, and touch wood, I feel very blessed that I'm getting to do all these things.

Are you also finding filmmakers who want to work with you and who recognise that you are the right person for them at this moment?

Aparshakti Khurana: You find your people, you find your tribe, and I’m good with the people I’m surrounded with. I’m really happy with each and every person I’ve worked with, which of course includes Saurabh Shukla, who has written and directed Jab Khuli Kitaab, and the entire team at ZEE5, Applause, or Naren's team.

I’m really happy to collaborate with each and every one. And anyway, just in case—though it’s never happened to me—but just in case I’ve had a slightly bad experience during a film shoot, for example, on a bad day I don't have the energy to perform, I don't really regret it. That one bad day is really allowed on a film set, you know? And everyone will have that.

Jab Khuli Kitaab FAQs:

Q: What is the release date of Jab Khuli Kitaab?

A: Jab Khuli Kitaab is set to premiere on March 6, 2026. It will be available for streaming exclusively on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium).

Q: Is Jab Khuli Kitaab based on a play?

A: Yes, Jab Khuli Kitaab is adapted from a popular stage play of the same name written and directed by Saurabh Shukla. The movie version is also written and directed by Shukla, maintaining the original's blend of humor and emotional depth.

Q: Who plays the lawyer in Jab Khuli Kitaab?

A: Aparshakti Khurana plays the role of the lawyer in Jab Khuli Kitaab. Interestingly, the actor is a lawyer by education in real life, which he mentioned helped him step into the character more organically.