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Book Review: Cracking The Code By Ayusmann Khurana
Bollywood Actor Ayushmann Khurrana Opens Up About His Journey in Bollywood
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and Tahira Kashyap’s Cracking the Code: My Journey to Bollywood is a must-read for everyone aspiring to "make it big” in the entertainment industry. Khurrana documents his experience in the show Popstars before becoming a part of the famous Indian show MTV Roadies 2 and eventually becoming a VJ in Bombay as he shot towards his career as an actor in tinsel town. Khurrana made his debut with the hilarious comedy Vicky Donor (2012), which explores the current issues of infertility and the culture of sperm donation. Since the film's release, he has become a fan favourite and has gone on to star in films such as Nautanki Saala (2013) and Bewakoofiyan (2014) with Sonam Kapoor.
While Khurrana has quickly become a chocolate boy in Bollywood, his autobiography is written in a nonchalant, casual way, touching on the harsh realities that many aspiring actors and actresses face in the Indian cinema industry. As his journey began in Bombay, he recollects how many of his friends have been trying to catch a break for almost ten daunting years. While his story is not unlike the tales of many who have attempted to make it in the entertainment industry, Khurrana’s passion for acting was born when, as a child, he danced and acted in Shree 420’s “Mera Joota Hai Japani.” Unfortunately, he observes in his autobiography that many people in his hometown would start comparing themselves to him and assume that his popularity and fame were not difficult to earn at all. I argue that he has written this book to show that achieving success in any career takes a lot of dedication, commitment and passion — nothing is ever as easy as it looks — and requires hours of hard work and the drive not to give up.
As a child, Khurrana had a choice, like many youths in South Asian countries, to either become a doctor or an engineer. He chose the medical field, but his dream had always been to become an actor. For him, however, the road has not always been easy, although he has enjoyed relative success in the cinema industry. Khurrana is more of a method or theatre actor, which is apparent in his films. I recommend his autobiography to people who are interested in becoming part of the entertainment industry, which also doesn't always already promise a lucrative career. There's always a struggle. Khurrana's tone throughout is humble and often insecure, perhaps hinting that recollecting his journey is a cathartic experience.
As an actor currently, Khurrana is apparently still coming to terms with his childhood as a small-town boy coping with fame and popularity. He frequently references the culture shock he had when his friend invited him to live with him and his girlfriend in Mumbai until Khurrana could make other arrangements to stay in the city. He remembers the uncomfortable moment when all three of them had to share a bed. His uneasiness also shows the many cultural difficulties and challenges that aspiring actors face in Mumbai. His book also reminded me of Madhur Bhandarkar’s hard-hitting and riveting film Fashion (2008) about India’s fashion industry and the struggles that women face as they aim to become supermodels.
Khurrana’s autobiography is a fast read and a tell-all tale of one man’s journey to becoming an actor in Indian cinema.
Feature Image Source: Aaj Tak
Nidhi Shrivastava
Author
Nidhi Shrivastava (@shnidhi) is a Ph.D. candidate in the English department at Western University and works as an adjunct professor in at Sacred Heart University. She holds double masters in South Asian Studies and Women's Studies. Her research focuses on Hindi film cinema, censorship, the figure o...
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