The Taboo Buster

AYUSHMANN KHURRANA’s earnings fall short of the List’s price of entry this year. Yet, his unorthodox roles have earned him a distinctive identity in Bollywood

- Anshul Dhamija

FROM HIS DEBUT FILM VICKY DONOR (2012), with its witty take on infertility and sperm donation, to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017), which discusses the much-tabooed topic of erectile dysfunction, Ayushmann Khurrana’s penchant for unconventional roles has earned him a definitive identity in Bollywood.

The 33-year-old says he has no qualms about being part of films that explore beyond-the-pale subjects. “I think you need to be courageous and experimental with your craft. Acting and film-making are about taking risks,” Khurrana tells Forbes India. “In this day and age, when there are lots of options on digital platforms to get edgy content, you have to deliver something different to pull people to the movie hall.” The actor, who had made it to the 2013 Forbes India Celebrity 100 List with net earnings of ₹2.58 crore, adds, “It’s fun playing taboo characters and subjects.” His offbeat characters and a rocking debut with