3 hrs ago
Ayushmann Khurrana and Sriram Raghavan Discuss Theatrical Pressure
Ayushmann Khurrana and Sriram Raghavan spoke about movies at a media and entertainment event.
They discussed why people choose to watch films in theatres.
Khurran believes a strong story is more important than a famous actor.
Raghavan said he does not let industry pressure affect him too much.
They joked that making Andhadhun 2 could create pressure if the story was not good enough.
Denzil Dias said audiences need to trust the actors, director, genre or franchise.
He also said good word of mouth can help a film become popular.
Khurran said fresh ideas and strong emotions in comedy, romance or horror can attract viewers.
Ayushmann Khurrana and Sriram Raghavan discussed industry pressure at FICCI FRAMES.
Khurrana said stories, rather than actors, should be the biggest stars in films.
Raghavan joked that pressure would return if the right story for Andhadhun 2 emerged.
Denzil Dias said trust, audience connection, timing and word of mouth drive theatrical success.
Khurrana identified newness and heightened emotions as key reasons audiences visit theatres.
- Who
- Ayushmann Khurrana, Sriram Raghavan, Rajeev Masand and Denzil Dias participated in the discussion.
- What
- They discussed theatrical pressure, audience preferences and the factors that bring people to cinemas.
- Where
- At FICCI FRAMES, an annual global convention focused on the media and entertainment business.
- When
- The discussion took place on day one of FICCI FRAMES; Khurrana’s Udta Teer is scheduled for release on October 9, 2026.
- Why
- The speakers were examining how films can attract theatrical audiences through stories, trust, timing, word of mouth, newness and heightened emotions.
Key facts
- Event
- FICCI FRAMES
- Participants
- Ayushmann Khurrana, Sriram Raghavan, Rajeev Masand and Denzil Dias
- Khurrana’s view
- The story should be the superstar, with authentic subjects attracting audiences.
- Audience drivers
- Trust, audience connection, word of mouth, newness and heightened emotions
- Obsession release strategy
- Warner Bros Discovery delayed its India release by two weeks and opened it on about 300 screens.
- Upcoming film
- Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
Quotes
Ayushmann Khurrana
Actor discussing the importance of stories over star power
“When I speak from a theatrical distribution perspective, what makes it more important is that the audience needs to connect with the film, and that connection comes from the place of trust.”
indianexpress.com
“In the films that I do, the stories are always bigger than the actor. I always believed that story is the superstar, right from my first film.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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