MUMBAI: It was a surreal moment for VJ-turned-Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana when he was called upon to mentor the contestants in the upcoming season of India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj. He says that it was the same show that rejected him many years ago when he came for audition.
The 29-year-old, who came into the limelight after winning the second season of MTV Roadies, recollects how he was rejected for the show just because of his unconventional looks.
“It was the spring of 2003 when I auditioned for season one of India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj and I was rejected,” Ayushmann said at the launch of the show, where he was accompanied by actor Parineeti Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya.
“It’s quite surreal that I am on the panel as friend [and] as a Bollywood buddy [friend] this time. I remember in 2003 I was this nerdy looking thin guy with spectacles. [I was] not the six feet tall conventional hero. But that was 10 years back,” he added.
However, he says now the film industry’s doors are open to everybody who has a decent amount of talent. “Now, times have changed and it is the golden era of Indian cinema. We have gone beyond nepotism. This is the time where anybody with decent amount of talent can be an actor,” said the actor, who made a successful Bollywood debut with 2012 film Vicky Donor, winning two Filmfare awards as Best Debut Actor and as Best Playback Singer.
“Doors [of Indian cinema] are open for everyone. This is the golden era of Indian cinema and anybody can be an actor,” he added.
In an earlier interview, before the release of his last film, Bewakoofiyaan, the actor revealed how he much he had to struggle before he finally found fame in showbiz. “I have not struggled much in my career as my character in the film does [Mohit Chadhdha in Bewakoofiyaan]. I did face rejections but was never bogged down. I only relate to the financial insecurity part of my character. I remember when I married Tahira, I only had Rs10, 000 in my account.
The third season of India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj will go on air on Zee TV soon. It will be judged by actor Sonali Bendre and film writer Vijay Krishna Acharya and Hussain Kuwajerwala will be seen as the host.
Besides Ayushmann, Parineeti will also be seen as a mentor to the contestants on the show.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2014.
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