Was always intrigued by caste divide in India: Ayushmann Khurrana
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana believes his golden run at the box office, including back-to-back hits “Andhadhun” and “Badhaai Ho”, instilled the confidence in him to take up a hard-hitting project like “Article 15”.The film, directed by Anubhav Sinha of “Mulk” fame, touches upon the sensitive topic of casteism. Khurrana said he always wanted to be a part of gritty and socially-relevant films like “Article 15”.
“Last two years were very fortunate for me as my films clocked great numbers at the box office and it only gave courage to me to do a film like ‘Article 15’. It was a part of my bucket list to do a film like this because I always wanted to do something on a social issue,” he told PTI in an interview.
The film offers a realistic take on Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.Khurrana believes the presence of mainstream actors like him in such films helps the cause as it will help them connect with a wider audience. “If you have a mainstream actor attached to a subject like this, it reaches out to a wider audience. We want to reach out to people who believe in caste discrimination and if we are able to change the mindset of one person that will be the true victory for us,” he said. The actor was set to collaborate with Sinha for a romantic film but destiny brought them together for “Article 15”. Khurrana said he became a fan of the director after watching his 2018 courtroom drama “Mulk”.”I became a fanboy of Anubhav Sinha, I feel he discovered his true voice as a director after ‘Mulk’. When I met him he had offered me a rom-com but I told him I am looking for a hard-hitting subject, something like ‘Mulk’.
