In his college days, Ayushmann used to serenade passengers on the Paschim Express from Delhi to Mumbai to earn some money. He says, “I, along with my friends, used to get onto the train and we used to go to every coach to sing and perform. We used to earn so much that we managed to sponsor our Goa trip from it.”

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2. His eyebrows and accent have cost him roles in the past

When auditioning for television roles, the actor was told that his eyebrows were too thick and that his Punjabi accent was too strong. He refused to be deterred, and is clearly having the last laugh with his success.

3. His career started in the early 2000s

Twenty-year-old Ayushmann was a contestant on season two of the reality television show Roadies in 2004. He won, to launch his career in the entertainment industry.

4. He was once a radio and video jockey

After graduating from college, Ayushmann’s first job was as a radio jockey in New Delhi. He hosted the show Big Chai – Maan Na Maan, Main Tera Ayushmann. In 2007, he won the Young Achievers Award for his work on the show. He also made waves as the youngest ever winner of the Bharat Nirman Award in New Delhi. Following this, he became a video jockey on several MTV shows.

5. He prefers roles in quirky films

One of Ayushmann’s latest films, Bala, focuses on a man dealing with premature hair loss. It’s not the usual movie script – but the actor is known for his unconventional subject matter. He won an award for his role in Vicky Donor, a film about a man who finds his calling at a sperm bank, and he’s also performed in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, where he suffers from erectile dysfunction.

The actor has said, “I think I am meant for unconventional films, which is why I will be sceptical of choosing any conventional films.”

6. He is supporting his wife during her battle with breast cancer

Ayushmann has been with wife Tahira Kashyap for 19 years, and they have two children. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2018, and she began her first treatment of chemotherapy on the same day that Ayushmann’s film Baadhi Ho opened in theatres. “It’s not easy, but that’s life,” says the actor. “She has got great spirit. She is taking it very courageously.”

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With three films released in the past year, Ayushmann’s career is reaching new heights.

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