BB Desk
Ayushmann Khurrana is preparing for a return to the big screen with two films that place him in markedly different cinematic settings. The actor will first be seen in Udta Teer, a patriotic comedy directed by Aakash Kaushik, before moving into the world of family, romance, and music with Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Mol Liya.
The contrast between the two projects is notable. Udta Teer backed by Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment, combines espionage and comedy, with Khurrana playing a central character caught in a story driven by confusion, chaos, and shifting circumstances. Sara Ali Khan stars alongside him.
The film tucks Khurrana into a genre that mixes patriotic themes with comic elements, marking another departure from the social comedies and relationship oriented stories that have featured prominently in his career.
His next release however, moves in a very different direction. Yeh Prem Mol Liya directed by Barjatya pairs Khurrana with Sharvari in a musical family drama. With music by Himesh Reshammiya, the films is rooted in relationships, love, and family dynamics placing the actor in the more traditional emotional landscape associated with Barjatya’s cinema.
For Khurrana, the appeal of the two films lies partly in the contrast between them.
“From my very first film, I have wanted to surprise audiences and, more importantly, surprise myself as an actor. I’ve never believed in being confined to one image or genre, whether it is a social comedy, an unconventional love story, an intense drama, or a musical family saga, every film gives me an opportunity to explore a new emotion and reveal a different side of myself,” says Khurrana.
Pointing to the change in tone as a key reason, he was drawn to his upcoming projects Khurrana adds, “What excites me most is the unpredictability of the journey. I want every film to feel like a new chapter with a new world, a new rhythm, and a new version of me. Udta Teer and Yeh Prem Mol Liya are completely different experiences and that contrast is exactly what drew me to them.”
Khurrana also described the two films as distinct acting challenges, with Udta Teer allowing him to work with humour and a genre-blending narrative, while Yeh Prem Mol Liya takes him into a more emotional and musical space.
“One allows me to explore the madness and humour of a genre-bending, never-seen-before patriotic comedy, while the other takes me into the warmth, emotion and music of a family drama. For me, versatility is not just about changing genres but about finding the truth of every character and making sure the audience feels something new each time they see me on screen,” he shares.
Genre shifts have been a recurring feature of Khurrana’s filmography. Since his debut, he has moved between unconventional romantic leads, social comedies, dramas, action-oriented roles, and films built around music and relationships. His upcoming releases continue that pattern, putting two very different performances next to each other.
Whether the films ultimately land differently with audiences remains to be seen, but the back-to-back releases underline Khurrana’s continued preference for moving between contrasting characters and cinematic worlds rather than staying within a single genre.
