'India Is Homophobic', Ayushmann Khurrana On People¡¯s Reception Of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
India has a long way to go both legally and mentally in the reception of the LGBT+ community. Things are changing and one of the helping hands to that are contents that normalize the conversations around this community. Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana is one of those few actors who not just once but have done two films on this subject irrespective of how audiences shall perceive it.
Ayushmann starred in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020) which discussed queer relationships in the Indian context and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021) which dealt with normalising transgender reception.
Although Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui which also starred Vani Kapoor received great reviews, things couldn¡¯t work out at the box office. Responding to its underwhelming response, the actor stated, "I started with movies on taboo subjects. I suppose the type of subjects¡ªit has to be a community viewing, and it has to have a wider film¡ªthe kids have also been watching.¡±
¡°In fact, my last three films, including an LGBTQ film (Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui), really don't do well commercially because, unfortunately, our country is homophobic. Then there was Anek, a docudrama that was very niche in terms of the tone of the film. Doctor G was an A-rated film, and given the kind of certification it got, the film did decently well in theatres. For a while, that was my learning for making a film," the Vicky Donor actor told OTT Play.
Ayushmann who is prepping for his next ¡®An Action Hero¡¯ also spoke about whether he got affected by his films not doing well.
The Anek actor replied by saying, "I think I'm unshakeable. If I stop taking risks, I will be conventional. I have always been unconventional, and I make those choices. I will be taking them in the future as well, regardless of success or failure. I just keep pushing the boundaries, and that's the beauty of the budgeting of the films, too. My films are mostly low- to mid-budget, so no one loses money and I can afford to take risks."
In the same interview, Ayushmann also shared how audiences¡¯ choices have turned unpredictable and challenging.
"It was always unpredictable. But now the challenge is to make great films, knowing good is not enough and good is not old enough. The real challenge is to excite the audience enough to come out of their homes and watch a film. It has to be worth the time and money. They just can't be coming for anything," the Bala actor concluded.
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