Youth icon and Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana is a thought leader who has been working towards bringing constructive, positive changes in society with his progressive, conversation-starting social entertainers that have had a positive impact towards nation-building in India.

Over the years, he has cemented himself as the poster boy of progressive content cinema that aims at championing inclusivity. Ayushmann Khurrana has brought about a massive shift in notions as to how Hindi film heroes should be on screen. He chooses to portray them as vulnerable, real, and flawed working-class men who rise up to do something extraordinary with their lives or in their societies.

Showcasing his multifaceted personality at every possible forum, Ayushmann worked as an RJ with Big FM and a VJ with MTV before entering the Hindi film industry. He made a powerful debut on the silver screen in 2012 with a quixotic comedy Vicky Donor, which was based on a taboo-breaking subject. Essaying the role of a sperm donor his performance earned him broad kudos from the film fraternity and won him several accolades including the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debutant.

Subsequently, he delivered an enviable list of blockbuster flicks and earned wide recognition for his innate ability to act.

Ayushmann’s performances in Nautanki Saala (2013), Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), and Article 15 (2019) redefined notions of Hindi film heroes and stardom. Badhaai Ho (2018), where he played the role of a Delhi boy embarrassed by his mother’s late pregnancy, gave him his maiden 100-crore blockbuster and his performance in Andhadhun (2018) also garnered him his first National Award, bestowed by the Government of India, which further solidifies his contributions to the film industry.

Ayushmann also defied gender stereotypes successfully with the super hit Dream Girl (2019), a unique concept film and Bala (2019), a movie about a young man dealing with a receding hairline, both within the milieu of heartland India reality. He also chose to play a gay leading man which was a first for any mainstream hero in Hindi cinema in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020) and was then seen in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), essaying the role of a cis-man in the first Bollywood mainstream movie that had a love story with a trans character. The versatile actor also essayed the role of a gynaecologist in DoctorG (2022). In 2023, Dream Girl 2 (a sequel to Dream Girl) emerged as the actor's biggest box office opener, earning widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics. Ayushmann Khurrana enters the horror comedy universe with this big Dilwali release Thamma that promises to start a new chapter in Maddock Horror Comedy Universe with his family entertainer. The actor has been signed by filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya for his upcoming film that will see Ayushmann step into the shoes of Barjatya’s iconic character Prem. Besides this, Khurrana will also be the main protagonist in the second instalment of Pati Patni Aur Woh along with Sara Ali Khan and Wamiqa Gabbi.

He has single-handedly brought to life stories rooted in India's heartland by becoming the go-to star for such films. A top draw for Indian youth across cities, towns and villages, Ayushmann has become the face of many respected brands. Endorsing products that target common people, he endorses brands like Amazon Pay, Kit Kat, Tide, Bvlgari, Agoda, Nautica, Wobble, Orange Health, Godrej Security Solutions, Signature Drinking Water, amongst others. His exponential growth as a brand ambassador reflects his massive popularity today.

Despite being an outsider, Ayushmann has created an indelible mark as an actor in this competitive industry and greatly evolved as an artiste. His passion for creating music sets him apart from his contemporaries. He has recently signed a global recording deal with Warner Music India, the country’s leading music label. As part of this partnership, between 2024-25, Ayushmann delivered popular hits including the Gujarati-Punjabi Navratri anthem - Jachdi & the Haryvani pop EP - The Heartbreak Chhora, marking a new first for him as the EP's title track is notable for having an AI-generated music video, making Ayushmann the first mainstream Bollywood artist to use AI for a music video.

Beyond the silver screen, Ayushmann is a vocal supporter of child rights and serves as UNICEF’s National Ambassador alongside Sachin Tendulkar. He has also been part of global initiatives like Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC), highlighting his dedication to societal betterment.

His advocacy efforts are further backed by his recognition on platforms such as Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list in 2013 and 2019, and he was named one of the world's most influential people by TIME Magazine in 2020. He also won the TIME100 Impact Award in 2023, marking him as the only Indian actor to be honoured twice by TIME within three years. This year (2025), Ayushmann became the first-ever brand ambassador of FICCI Frames, the media and entertainment convention celebrating its 25th anniversary year. Adding another feather to his illustrious journey in cinema, the humble star received an invitation this year (2025) to join the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences, the body behind the prestigious Oscar Awards, known for choosing unique, socially relevant films. An honour that is a testament to his impactful cinematic choices.

As an artist and a philanthropist, Ayushmann continues to inspire and influence both on and off screen, using his films and his music to champion causes and drive conversations, making a global impact and representing India with pride on the world stage.

Films as an Actor: VICKY DONOR (2012), NAUTANKI SAALA (2013), BEWAKOOFIYAAN (2014), HAWAIZAADA (2015), DUM LAGA KE HAISHA (2015), MERI PYAARI BINDU (2017), BAREILLY KI BARFI (2017), SHUBH MANGAL SAVDHAN (2017), ANDHADHUN (2018), BADHAAI HO (2018), ARTICLE 15 (2019), DREAM GIRL (2019), BALA (2019), SHUBH MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN (2020), GULABO SITABO (2020), CHANDIGARH KARE AASHIQUI (2021), ANEK (2022), DOCTOR G (2022), AN ACTION HERO (2022), DREAM GIRL 2 (2023), THAMMA (2025), DHARMA-SIKHYA UNTITLED FILM (Upcoming), SOORAJ BARJATYA’S NEXT (Upcoming), PATI PATNI AUR WHO SEQUEL (Upcoming).