Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana is on a roll after the success of his first festival film, Thamma, which crossed the Rs 100-crore ($11.1 million) mark at the box office, marking the milestone with his fifth film, making it his biggest opening ever. The film is the latest addition to Madoc Films’ horror-comedy universe.
The actor has long been known for championing realistic, slice-of-life films, but he’s now pivoted to wholesome family entertainment, with four upcoming projects lined up.
“Post-pandemic, the atmosphere in theaters has changed, and in such a scenario, this success feels very positive,” Khurrana told Variety. “My heart is filled with gratitude for the success of both ‘Dream Girl 2’ and ‘Tamma.’ I’m excited to welcome 2026 with two consecutive 100 million hits.”
Leading the 2026 line-up is ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’, which Khurrana describes as ‘a clean family comedy and there is always a space for clean family comedy’. The film is inspired by the 1978 hit starring Sanjeev Kumar and is backed by Juno Chopra-led BR Chopra Films.
Khurrana is particularly keen on collaborating with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, who is known for his family films. “For his height, he is a very simple person, very humble and hardworking,” says the actor. “What inspires me the most about him is that he is a true film student and works like a nerd. I am a true fan of family entertainers like him and he is a master of this genre and this genre is really lacking and there is no one who does it better than Sooraj sir.”
The Barjatya project represents a departure from Khurrana’s typical roles. “What excites me most about his films is that the main character is not just one character, but the whole family takes center stage as a family entertainer,” he explains. “I usually like to play characters who are flawed and evolve over time, but this movie is different. It celebrates a wholesome and ideal family as the main characters.”
Khurrana will also begin shooting for an untitled project with Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa in early 2026, followed by the release of a spy comedy co-produced by Dharma Productions and Sheikhya Entertainment.
The actor, known for his producer-friendly track record, emphasizes a collaborative approach. “When I work on a project and shoot, I try to keep things simple, even for my entourage,” says Khurana. “For me, it’s not just about the scripts I choose, but also about the kind of professional I am. I pride myself on being a collaborator first, rather than someone who focuses only on being seen as the lead.”
Khurrana established herself as a franchise starter with successful series like ‘Dream Girl’, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ and ‘Badhai Ho’.
“Prequel authenticity is an advantage of franchise films,” he says. “When going out to see a new movie, audiences are selective in their choices. So the priority is always to make a top-notch production, and when you have a successful series to back it up, that helps tremendously.”
The actor has also expressed interest in exploring ‘Andhadhun 2’ in the future.
