Ayushmann Khurrana has urged the Indian film industry to make more budget-friendly movies, pointing to the massive box-office success of Hanuman Ansh and Obsession as proof that strong stories beat star power. Speaking at the FICCI Frames session “Cinema at Crossroads – The Rules of the Big Screen” in Mumbai on September 29, 2026, the actor said his upcoming spy comedy Udta Teer marks a return to the authentic cinema that defined his early career.
Key Facts
- Event: FICCI Frames 2026, session “Cinema at Crossroads – The Rules of the Big Screen”
- Date of statement: September 29, 2026
- Location: Mumbai
- Films praised: Hanuman Ansh (Hindi) and Obsession (Hollywood horror)
- Ayushmann’s next release: Udta Teer, in theatres October 9, 2026
- Also present: Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and Denzil Dias (Warner Bros. Discovery India)
What Did Ayushmann Khurrana Say About Small-Budget Films?
Ayushmann Khurrana said the theatrical business needs films that connect with audiences without depending on massive budgets or star power. He named Hanuman Ansh and Obsession as the prime examples of what the industry should aim for.
“Right now, the prime example is ‘Hanuman Ansh’ and ‘Obsession’, two different worlds and small-budget films. I think we need to make movies like that. We need to be budget-friendly and connect more with people. It sounds simple, but it isn’t.”
The actor spoke alongside filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and Denzil Dias, VP and Managing Director of India Theatrical at Warner Bros Discovery. His comments came as part of a wider discussion on how audiences now have access to stars across multiple platforms, making script and authenticity the real drivers of theatrical success.
Why Did Ayushmann Khurrana Praise Hanuman Ansh and Obsession?
Both films achieved extraordinary box-office multiples on tiny budgets, proving that word-of-mouth can outperform big marketing spends. Hanuman Ansh, a devotional drama based on the life of Neem Karoli Baba, was made on a budget of just ₹2 crore. It opened with only ₹10 lakh on day one but grew steadily through positive audience response, eventually crossing the ₹300 crore mark in India and completing 50 days in theatres. According to Sacnilk figures cited by multiple outlets, the film’s India gross reached ₹336.2 crore and its worldwide collection stood at ₹371.95 crore.
Obsession, a Hollywood horror film written and directed by 20-year-old Curry Barker, was produced on a budget of just $700,000. It went on to earn over $300 million globally, powered by strong word-of-mouth and conversations around its themes of male entitlement and consent.
The success of both films has become a case study for an industry navigating changing viewer habits. Hanuman Ansh producer Anupriya Nagar later revealed that several producers who had refused to invest in the film reached out after its release, with some even apologising for not backing it.
What Is Udta Teer About and When Does It Release?
Udta Teer is an espionage comedy starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, directed by debutant Akash A Kaushik. The film is set to release in theatres on October 9, 2026. Ayushmann plays Bilal, a Pakistani intelligence agent who loses his memory after an explosion and wakes up believing he is part of India’s Counter-Terrorism Squad. Sara Ali Khan plays a fellow CTS officer unaware of his real identity.
Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga Kapoor’s Sikhya Entertainment, the film also stars Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Raghubir Yadav, and Supriya Pilgaonkar. The trailer, released on September 24, 2026, showed a mix of identity-swap humour, action sequences, and political satire, with music by Sachin-Jigar.
Why Does Ayushmann Call Udta Teer a Return to His Core?
Ayushmann Khurrana described Udta Teer as a return to the storytelling style that launched his career with Vicky Donor in 2012. He said he has always believed the story should be bigger than the actor.
“I’ve always believed that films that I do are stories are bigger than the actor, I always believe that story is the superstar right from my first film. Though in the last 20 odd films that I’ve done, I’ve dabbled into every kind of genre. But I’m going back to my core, which is authenticity.”
He added that giving audiences an authentic subject is a strong draw, and that Udta Teer represents exactly that shift.
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What Else Is on Ayushmann Khurrana’s Slate?
Beyond Udta Teer, Ayushmann Khurrana has Yeh Prem Mol Liya with Sharvari, a musical family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya, scheduled for release on November 27, 2026. He also completed Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, a comedy co-starring Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh, which released in May 2026.
Also Read: Samay Raina Roasts Ayushmann Khurrana Over Pati Patni Aur Woh Do on India’s Got Latent Bonus Episode
Ayushmann Khurrana’s FICCI Frames remarks underline a growing industry consensus that high-concept, low-budget storytelling may be the most sustainable path for theatres in 2026. His own October 9 release, Udta Teer, will now test that belief at the box office.
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