Ayushmann Khurrana is often called the poster boy of content-driven cinema in India. His hugely successful social message entertainers have sparked conversations in the country and his 2020 release Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan (SMZS) spoke about the need to accept same sex relationships in India without any discrimination.
On the second anniversary of SMZS, Ayushmann shared a powerful poem highlighting that he is just a vehicle to highlight issues that are close to his heart and he said that he will continue rooting for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
The Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui actor said, “I have always considered myself merely a vehicle or a medium to tell stories that hopefully will affect positive social change. The strong message about gender inclusivity that Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan was delivering through its beautiful story, propelled me to do the film that is now being considered as one of the most loved movies in recent times.”
He adds, “I was thrilled with how the audiences reacted about the movie. The acceptance of the film and the nationwide conversation it started about gender equality was actually the success of SMZS. So, on the second anniversary of the film, I again wanted to reiterate the fact that we all can be vehicles of change in society. We have to strive to make it a better world for everyone, for every gender. We all have the power to make a difference in and around us. So, let’s unite to do just that.”
Ayushmann, who became the first mainstream hero in India to play a gay man on screen in SMZS, feels the path has been paved for LGBTQIA+ community’s representation in mainstream movies. “What is most important right now is representation of the community in mainstream cinema. I think some of us have tried our best to address and raise awareness about the community’s need for inclusivity. I think awareness among Indians have been created by such films including the likes of SMZS, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and now Badhaai Do.”
Ayushmann, who has been voted as the one of the most Most Influential People in the world by the prestigious TIME Magazine for his courage to pick films on taboo topics, adds, “We need to now see the community’s representation in mainstream movies. That will indicate that real change has happened and the effort was worth it. That’s the impact I was chasing with SMZS and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui.”
The actor has an interesting slate as will next be seen in films like Anubhav Sinha’s Anek, Doctor G and Aanand L. Rai produced Action Hero.
