Always criticized toxic masculinity, says Ayushmann Khurrana

Mumbai: Bollywood actor and singer Ayushmann Khurrana on Tuesday said that he has always challenged the idea of ‘toxic masculinity’ and prefers working in films that make a sharp critique of it.

At the trailer launch of his upcoming film “Dream Girl 2”, the actor was asked to comment on how Karan Johar’s latest film “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” challenges gender stereotypes by showing two male characters played by Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Choudhury perform Kathak on “Dola Re Dola”, a song from “Devdas” featuring Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit.

“From the beginning, I’ve criticized toxic masculinity. I’m glad that ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ is doing well. They have set a good ground to address toxic masculinity because our film is going to take it to the next level,” Khurrana said.

The actor, who plays the role of a cross-dresser in his new movie Dream Girl 2, also said that it is good to see people accepting films that address social causes and break stereotypes.

Dream Girl 2 is a sequel to the actor’s 2019 comedy-drama, in which he featured as Karam, a man whose female voice impersonation as Pooja begets the attention of others.

The follow-up movie also stars Ananya Panday, Abhishek Banerjee, Rajpal Yadav, Annu Kapoor, and Paresh Rawal.

Khurrana, also known for social issue-based movies such as ‘Article 15’, ‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’, and ‘Badhaai Ho’, said ‘Dream Girl 2’ has been his “most massy” film.

“I’m fortunate that I have got opportunities to portray different characters and showcase different subjects on celluloid. ‘Dream Girl 2’ is unique. It is a mass entertainer,” he said.

Backed by Balaji Motion Pictures, the film is set to be released on August 25 in theatres.

With inputs from agencies