Want to play real characters only: Ayushmann

Mumbai: VJ-turned-actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who made a successful Bollywood debut with 'Vicky Donor', wants to play realistic characters onscreen and not the typical hero.

Ayushmann will be seen next in Rohan Sippy's directorial venture 'Nautanki Saala'.

Theatre being the backdrop of the film, the lead actors - Ayushmann and Kunal - will be dressed up as "nautanki walas", donning the traditional attire of folk drama artistes.

"The best part is all the roles that I am playing are real or close to reality. I have done theatre so I could relate to the character in 'Nautanki Saala'," Ayushmann told PTI.

Ayushmann will next star opposite Sonam Kapoor in Yash Raj Films' untitled romantic comedy set in North Indian state Delhi. This fun-filled satire has been written by 'Ishaqzaade' director Habib Faisal and will be directed by Nupur Asthana.

"It is a love story in the times of recession and I play a guy who is hit by recession. It is a Habib Faisal kind of film, very real," the actor said.

Even before his first film 'Vicky Donor' hit cinema houses, Ayushmann had managed to impress John Abraham, who signed him for his next home production 'Hamara Bajaj'. The film will be directed by Shoojit Sircar and will have Ayushmann playing the role of a young man called Sanjay Bajaj, a struggling actor.

"I have Shoojit Sircar's film 'Hamara Bajaj' where I play a tourist who wants to be an actor. So that is also real. The best part is I am getting to play real characters. I don't want to try and become a hero or somebody performing out of scale. I would prefer to be real and subtle in films," he said. .