Controversial Film Content and Portrayals

• 2012: Khurrana was criticized for his portrayal of a sperm donor in the film Vicky Donor. Some people felt that the film was promoting promiscuity and that it was insensitive to the issue of infertility.
• 2015: Khurrana was accused of plagiarism for his song “Nazrein” from the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha. The song was accused of copying the melody of the Pakistani song “Afreen Afreen”.
• Article 15 Controversy (2019): Ayushmann’s film Article 15, which dealt with caste discrimination, was criticized by some for allegedly showing the Brahmin community in poor light. There were protests and calls for bans against the film in parts of India.
• Andhadhun Anti-Blind Stance (2018): The depiction of a blind pianist in Andhadhun was criticized by disability rights groups as being insensitive. They accused Ayushmann and the film of mocking blindness and promoting ableism.
• Bala and Ujda Chaman Controversy (2019): Ayushmann’s Bala and Sunny Singh’s Ujda Chaman, both films about premature balding, released around the same time leading to allegations of plagiarism. The makers of both films accused each other of copying the script.
• 2018: Khurrana was criticized for his portrayal of a blind pianist in the film Andhadhun. Some people felt that the film was insensitive to the visually impaired community.
• 2020: Khurrana was accused of sexism for his comments about women in the film Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. He said that women should be more open-minded about sex and that they should not be ashamed of their bodies.

Insensitive Comments and Endorsements

• Homophobic Joke Controversy (2016): In an episode of Koffee with Karan, Ayushmann made a homophobic joke about “two gay men walking together” that was called out by LGBTQ groups and activists. He later apologized for the remark.
• Fairness Cream Endorsement Backlash (2013): Early in his career, Ayushmann had endorsed Emami Fair and Handsome cream. He was criticized for promoting colorism and faced backlash on social media for the same.
• 2022: Khurrana was criticized for his endorsement of a fairness cream. Some people felt that the ad was promoting colorism and that it was harmful to young people.