Ayushmann Khurrana is one of Bollywood’s most refreshing and unconventional stars. He began his journey from Chandigarh, Punjab, and carved his own path shunning typical hero roles and choosing characters that are rooted, relatable, and often socially relevant
His charm lies in his honest portrayals of everyday men grappling with modern issues, whether it’s infertility in Vicky Donor, caste injustice in Article 15, or identity and body image in Bala and Badhaai Ho. Over time, he has become a powerful storyteller and a voice for real change.
He’s not only an actor but also a singer, writer, radio jockey, television host, and stage performer. He blends artistry with humility.
He lives deliberately whether that means picking environments that reflect real life, writing and blogging in Hindi for fans, serving as UNICEF ambassador, or being mindful of sustainability in daily life.
That blend of simplicity, social meaning, and relatable humor has made him widely respected. In 2025 he received global recognition when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited him to join its membership a rare honor for an Indian actor.
Let’s explore his life story, accomplishments, personal side and more.
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Table of Contents
Ayushmann Khurrana’s Biography & Early Life
Ayushmann was born as Nishant Khurrana on 14 September 1984 in Chandigarh, India, to P. Khurrana, an astrologer and author, and Poonam, a housewife of part-Burmese descent.
At age three, his name was changed to Ayushmann Khurrana.1
He has a younger brother, Aparshakti Khurana, who is also in the entertainment industry.
#NationalSportsDay2025@narendramodi @mansukhmandviya @Media_SAI https://t.co/fpQOVzDrGm
— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) August 28, 2025
Education & Theatre Roots
Ayushmann studied at St. John’s High School and DAV College in Chandigarh.
He pursued English literature and later earned a master’s in Mass Communication from the School of Communication Studies at Panjab University.
During college, he immersed himself in theatre, performing at Shimla’s Gaiety Theatre and co-founding DAV’s theatre groups “Aaghaaz” and “Manchtantra.”
He acted in street plays and won best actor awards at festivals like Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay), OASIS (BITS Pilani), and St. Bedes Shimla. He even won a Best Actor award playing Ashwatthama in Andha Yug.
Reality TV & Radio
He catapulted into the limelight by winning MTV Roadies season 2 in 2004.
He moved into radio as an RJ at BIG FM in Delhi, hosting Big Chai – Maan Na Maan, Main Tera Ayushmann, and eventually became a VJ on MTV.2
Ayushmann Khurrana’s Film & Career Milestones
Film Debut & Breakthrough
Ayushmann made his feature-film debut in Vicky Donor (2012), playing a sperm donor. The film was both critically praised and commercially successful.
He also sang “Pani Da Rang,” winning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut and Best Playback Singer.
Early Setbacks and Rise
After Vicky Donor, he faced a string of less successful films like Nautanki Saala (2013), Bewakoofiyaan (2014), and Hawaizaada (2015).
However, 2015’s Dum Laga Ke Haisha was a turning point, it earned critical acclaim and commercial success .
Consistent Hits & Social Themes
After that, he delivered a string of successes:
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Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017)
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Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017)
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017)
In 2018, he starred in Andhadhun, a black comedy thriller about a blind pianist. The film became one of Indian cinema’s biggest grossers globally, earning ₹456 crore (US$64 million), and won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Critics Award.
He followed that with Badhaai Ho (2018), a sleeper hit with ₹221 crore (US$31 million) in worldwide earnings.
2019 brought more hits: Article 15, Dream Girl, and Bala.
Upcoming
In 2025, his film Thama is set in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe, where he will portray a vampire.
The first look is due 19 August 2025. The cast includes Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rashmika Mandanna, and Paresh Rawal.3
Box Office Stats
| Film / Scope | Year | Worldwide Gross / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vicky Donor (Debut) | 2012 | Breakthrough with critical acclaim |
| Dum Laga Ke Haisha | 2015 | Commercial and critical success |
| Andhadhun | 2018 | ₹456 cr / US$64 M; National Award, Critics Award |
| Badhaai Ho | 2018 | ₹221 cr / US$31 M |
| Article 15, Dream Girl, Bala | 2019 | Commercial hits |
| Box office total (leading roles) | — | $116.69 million worldwide |
He ranks among top global actors in leading roles with a worldwide total of $116 million+, placing him in approximate rank 2,378 worldwide for leading roles.4
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Awards & Honors
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Filmfare Award – Best Male Debut for Vicky Donor; Best Male Playback Singer for “Pani Da Rang”.
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National Film Award – Best Actor for Andhadhun (shared).
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Filmfare Critics Award – Best Actor for Andhadhun.
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Featured in Forbes India Celebrity 100 in 2013 and 2019.
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Named Time 100 Most Influential People in 2020.
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Invited to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2025.5
Social Impact & Personal Philosophy
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He consistently picks roles on sensitive and socially relevant subjects infertility, caste bias, mental health, LGBTQ issues, aging, body image, and more.6
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Appointed UNICEF India National Ambassador, working on children’s rights and promoting inclusion; led campaigns against cyberbullying.
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Champions environmental mindfulness in daily life simple habits, grounded living, and conscious choices.
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Open about vulnerabilities his wife Tahira revealed a time when she had zero bank balance. The couple has stayed resilient through early struggles and adversity together.7
FAQ’s
Q: What was Ayushmann Khurrana’s birth name and date?
A: He was born Nishant Khurrana on 14 September 1984 in Chandigarh, India.
Q: How did he start his career?
A: He won MTV Roadies season 2 in 2004 and began as an RJ and VJ before acting in films.
Q: What made his film debut so popular?
A: His debut in Vicky Donor (2012) tackled infidelity and firmly launched his career, earning both critical praise and Filmfare Awards.
Q: Which films brought him a national award?
A: He won National Film Award for Best Actor (shared) for Andhadhun (2018).
Q: Why is Ayushmann known as an unconventional star?
A: He chooses roles that challenge Bollywood norms—men dealing with taboo topics or being vulnerable. He’s also socially conscious off-screen.
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Q: Is he involved in social causes?
A: Yes. He serves as UNICEF India National Ambassador and advocates for children’s rights, inclusivity, and cyber-safety.
Q: What is his global recognition?
A: He was named in Time 100 (2020), included in Forbes India Celebrity 100 in 2013 and 2019, and joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2025.
Q: What’s next for him?
A: His upcoming film Thama (2025) features him as a vampire in a horror-comedy universe. The first look is set for 19 August 2025.
Q: What makes his personal life grounded and relatable?
A: He blogs in Hindi, shares real life moments such as his wife’s financial challenges and lives with simplicity and conscience.
Conclusion
Ayushmann Khurrana is not just a versatile actor but a storyteller who brings depth, heart, and meaning to every project. He blends authenticity with audacity, humor with empathy.
Whether on screen or in real life, he embodies a grounded approach to fame one that resonates, inspires, and underscores the power of simple, honest choices.
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