Family comes first for doting dad Ayushmann Khurrana

Ayushmann Khurrana has never shied away from doing films that deal with stigma issues. After having worked in movies like Vicky Donor, he’s now going to be seen in Shubh Mangal Savdhaan, which deals with the issue of erectile dysfunction.

“I don’t believe in hypocrisy,” says the Bareilly Ki Barfi actor. “Why can’t we discuss problems openly? Yes, I do films that are bold and hard hitting, yet family oriented ones. All my films are made sensibly and honestly, though. But I take a conscious decision that my kids do not watch movies, where I’m not seen kissing their mother. They’re very small now and I want them to believe in the institution of marriage. Watching me kiss another woman may not be taken positively at this age.”

A father of a son and a daughter, Ayushmann admits he’s protective towards them both. “Being a young father, I’m glad the generation gap is less. Being a progressive father, I will always enlighten my son to be respectful towards girls, and be chivalrous towards them. As far as daughters go, education can empower her. She shouldn’t cringe to share not-so-pleasant experiences, if she faces one. If they are close to us, they will share everything to the parents. Thus giving them enough space from their initial days is very important. Even as grown adults, they should inform us of every thing, so unpleasant experiences can be curbed in the initial stage. They shouldn’t hesitate talking about getting into relationships and having sex, after they grow up too.”

Ayushmann adds, however, that becoming parents has drawn him and his wife, Tahira Kashyap close. “My wife and I have had our shares of ups and downs right from the time of Vicky Donor. I was offered films one after the other. So I couldn’t give much time to my family. Being a father of a son and a daughter, the equation between us has changed for the better. Out bond has grown emotionally, as well as in terms of understanding each other.

Reminiscing his courting days, Ayushmann laughs and says, “While I was dating my wife, she found me quite weird, in my opinion. She thought I was pagal.” He puts it down to the fact that he went to an all boys’ school. “We were two brothers and didn’t have a sister,” he says. “Studying in an all boys’ school makes you gender biased — you never understand girls. I feel it’s bakwas to not admit your kids to a co-educational school. We also get closer to girls, who become friends, and we understand them better. This also breaks the attitude of being gender biased.”