One of the industry’s most fearless actors, Ayushmann Khurrana has built a career on films that entertain, inspire and ignite conversations. Honoured with the Bombay Times Headliners: Champion of Disruptive Storytelling award, the actor attributed his success over the years and this recognition to the writers, filmmakers, collaborators and audiences who believed in stories that challenged convention. On winning the honour, he said: When I started out, I never imagined that the films I would become known for would be called “disruptive.” I was just drawn to stories that felt real, honest, and human. Stories about people we all know, conversations we’ve all heard and issues that exist around us are often left unspoken.
Seema Singh, philanthropist, visionary designer, and founder of MeghaShrey, presents the Bombay Times Headliner award to Ayushmann Khurrana
Whether it was Vicky Donor, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Bala, or others, what excited me was the opportunity to tell a story that could make an impact. Cinema, at its best, has the power to entertain, but it also has the power to start conversations. I’ve always believed that the real success of a film isn’t just measured by the box office, it is when a story makes people look at something differently. That’s when you realise cinema has done something meaningful.I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with filmmakers who believed in using cinema as a medium not just for entertainment, but for change. This recognition belongs to every writer, director, producer, co-actor, and technician who has taken the risk to tell stories that challenge conventions. Most importantly, it belongs to the audience, who embraced these narratives with open hearts and proved that they are always ready for good stories, as long as they’re told with honesty and conviction.
