Mujhe lagta hai ek aur Bengali (role) karna padega,” said Ayushmann Khurrana as he walked into Pawsome, a pet clinic in Lake Gardens recently. It was a little after 11pm, but Ayushmann  — super cool in white kicks and round spectacles — was sporting his trademark smile. The man who’s made everyone sit up with his acts in last year’s Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Bareilly Ki Barfi tucked into some chilli fish before sitting down for a quick chat with t2. 

You have quite a collection of glasses... these look so cool!

My manager gifted me this pair. Actually I got my eye operated upon five years back, but I still have a habit of wearing glasses. When you have spectacles, the first thing you look out for are your glasses next to the pillows and even after five years I look for them in the morning, due to habit! I had actually never seen myself without glasses till I was 27-28. So when I am not shooting I wear glasses... they have no power.

Your sense of style is classic yet quirky. We love how you do suits so differently...

I am a very tee and jeans kind of person, while at home I am a pyjamas and boxers kind of person. I love Antar-Agni (that specialises in quirky desi menswear) and I want to create a particular look for my concerts which I can’t do in my films. 

In my films, I do not play a stylish guy, my looks are very realistic, basic… in fact they are anti-style. That’s a genre that I own… middle class, rural at times, so I do not get a chance to be stylish. In fact, in Badhaai Ho (co-starring Dangal girl Sanya Malhotra),  I am playing an urban guy and I had posted on Instagram that I would get to play urban in the office space and desi in the home space… which will be different for me. 

Right now I am drawing towards classic. I am a classic guy with a bit of quirk. For example, I will wear a wooden bow tie or a quirky pocket square or happy socks! I feel style is an extension of your personality and that’s what I do. 

A style trend you have overdone, want back and never want to fade?

I have overdone bow ties. I want high-waist trousers like in the ’90s. You know, in La La Land, Ryan Gosling  (picture above right) when he was performing by the poolside, those are the kind of clothes I want to wear. I feel there are a few things that will never fade away... like white canvas shoes. They are like live rock music… hip-hop, EDM will go... but rock will never go. 

The five things in your wardrobe you can’t do without…

Although I have given up bow ties, I have a great collection! Watches, socks.... Lots of socks… recently I wore two different kinds of socks (picture left)! Then I have a lot of white shoes... thoda pehenne se ganda ho jaata hai. By the way, we have a shoe laundry in Bombay and every month I give them for washing and they make it spick and span! 

What is the secret to looking lean and fit?

I think being a teetotaller really helps! I work out a lot and I am blessed with good metabolism, so I eat a lot and run a lot. I don’t have to put on a lot of muscle because of the roles I do and I just have to keep it simple. Run, look lean and natural. I also do a combination of weights and cardio. 

Your sex appeal lies in…

My earnestness... in the way that I don’t try too hard. And not trying too hard is sexy! You have to keep it basic.
 
 

One thing in a woman that turns you on…

Of course if you look at her first, it is her eyes and then intellect. If you understand art, it’s a turn-on… it could be poetry, literature, music or it could be painting. If you are an artist that’s sexy and Bengal is full of artists! (Laughs)

The wildest thing you have done?

Listen I can’t say all this! (Laughs out loud) Don’t do this to a married boy… hello! Okay, is donating sperms wild? 
I have done that for real!

You must have done it for Vicky Donor!

No, Roadies (Ayushmann won Season 2 of the MTV reality show) mein ek task tha. This was in Allahabad in 2004 and out of five boys, three samples were selected and I was one of them! So, I am a method actor! (Laughs)

A dating tip for our readers...

Be chivalrous, always keep her on a pedestal and be selfless in a relationship. Value your relationship and always be the first one to apologise! 
 
One question you want to be asked?

‘When is your next song coming up?’ That’s because I am so passionate about music! I think I will finish two films by April-end and then I will be coming up with a solo video. 

One thing you want to do differently this year...

I am doing a thriller with Sriram Raghavan (tentatively titled ‘Shoot The Piano Player’) and I think that’s the most different thing that I have done. Till now I have done slice-of-life films and this film is a very different genre for me.

Your spirit animal would be?

A golden lab! They are faithful, lovable and you can cuddle them! (Laughs)

The most bizarre rumour you’ve heard about yourself...

That I died while snowboarding in Switzerland! Aaj tak gaya hi nahin Switzerland... except for seeing them in Yash Raj films!

A rumour you wish was true…

Aisa kuch hai hi nahin… you know mujhe actors pe crushes nahin hotey! 

Your guilty pleasure...

I love Indian sweets, especially Bengali sweets… I cannot live without them! 
I have a crazy sweet tooth and whenever I am here, Gurshaan (his friend) gives me sweets and woh sab aaj aa chuke hain mere room mein. I can give up on carbs, but I cannot give up on sweets. 

The most daring thing you’ve done?

Getting married very young without any money in my bank! I was 25 when I got married....

Have you been inspired to do anything lately?

I am learning to play the piano. Ryan Gosling inspired me to play the piano. If I have to play a song on the instrument then it will be City of Stars.

A recent movie that made you ponder/ laugh/ cry?

Newton made me ponder.Tumhari Sulu made me laugh, and cry would be… (pauses) I haven’t watched too many movies this year.

One thing you have learned from the ups and downs in your career?

Trust your first instincts. When  you read a script or hear a narration, the first instinct is the most natural one. The first instinct tells you immediately that it’s going to work. Vicky Donor, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan... for all these films, I had thought... ‘This is it!’ For the rest of my films, I had to work on the script, like make them work.

Pramita Ghosh
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