Breathing space

Mona

Back home after a year, Ayushmann Khurrana is enjoying what he calls rather evolving Chandigarh. Not happy to settle for the city as mere capital of Punjab and Haryana, he feels it has become a melting pot of culture with students not only from neighbouring states but also as far as from Bengal becoming part of it. Also, the thriving theatre scene, people welcoming more art is making this artiste is more than happy!

Going by his social media pages, it looks like music has taken over acting for him, but the actor, anchor, crooner, donor, poser, composer, blogger, jogger, hogger (in his own words) explains, “Yes, I am pretty much active in the music scene but acting goes side by side. It’s just that singles release sooner than a film. A film takes way more time.”

Just back from his debut US tour, Ayushmann is elated. “In Mumbai people are used to us, outside India there still is this huge craze about Bollywood music,” says the musician who with his band, Ayushmann Bhava, rocked jam-packed auditoriums on his eight-city tour.

Trained in classical, this Chandigarh lad did not take music that seriously then, as he takes now. In fact, riyaaz in the morning and evening has become way of life with him. But by no means, the actor in him is sitting idle. Next, he will be seen in Meri Pyaari Bindu opposite Parineeti Chopra that makes us question his choice of rather ‘different’ films.

“Whenever I take up a film, it’s just not my role that I am focussed on but also the over story, and find if the script is offering some novelty value.” Yes, he has picked up another film that will be duly announced and would most likely release coming year too.

Making it in Bollwood; we cannot help but ask how big a role does he think destiny plays in life? “While astrology is very valid science, at the same time you write your own destiny. There is nothing that can put down the power of karma,” says Ayushmann whose double Ns and Rs in his name were there to begin with, his father being a renowned astrologer.

But more than anything, this performer believes in having a mentor. “By mentor I don’t mean an astrologer necessarily but someone who can guide you.” His father being there for him in his growing years and now not one but two – Shoojit Sircar and Aditya Chopra — have played significant role in shaping Ayushmann’s Bollywood journey.

Apart from his music and films, Ayushmann makes sure to touch base with his viewers. He is pretty active on social media. “I love to share the real me with my followers and not just unabashedly use the platform as a tool for promoting my work, if you notice my Twitter handle is more about love, life poetry,” and sure it is.

Enjoying Chandigarh for a short break, Ayushmann is due for a concert in Delhi and urges his fans to check his upcoming single opposite Amy Jackson and the film, Meri Pyaari Bindu...

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