'Sperm donation common, people keep mum'

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) VJ-turned-actor Ayushmann Khurrana has chosen to be different. With "Vicky Donor", an uncoventional film on sperm donation, he is glad that his debut project deals with a common issue seldom talked about in the country.

"This film will not only entertain you, it will enlighten you about sperm donation. It is very common in our country, but it's just that people don't talk about it," Ayushmann told IANS.

"It is 2012 and it is high time we talked about the issue. We have taken the task of making people aware of it, but in a very light-hearted manner.

"Sperm donation is a social cause, it doesn't save life, it gives life, it is a completely different zone altogether. This film tackles the issue in a very mature way," he added.

The 27-year-old will be seen in the role of Vicky, a good-for-nothing guy, who goes on to become a professional sperm donor.

Actor John Abraham's first production venture, "Vicky Donor" is directed by Shoojit Sircar. The film, releasing April 20, also features Yami Gautam.

While many choose a romantic or a masala film as their launchpad, Ayushmann wanted his debut to be unique.

"I waited for four years for this film. I wanted to do a fresh and out-of-the-box film. I wanted to do a film with a credible director and Shoojit Sircar is one of them. Being directed by someone who has worked with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, you feel you are in a safe zone," he said.

Ayushmann won the second season of MTV's adventure reality show "Roadies". But after that, he returned to hometown Chandigarh and involved himself with theatre.

"I was always into theatre and performing arts. I think I was a born performer. I was part of 'Roadies', but after the show, my parents didn't allow me to go to Mumbai and I also think I was not prepared at that time," said Ayushmann.

He went on to become a popular host on television. Apart from MTV shows, he has hosted "India's Got Talent" and "Just Dance".

"I came back to Chandigarh, did theatre for five years and radio for two years. I feel the combination prepared me for showbiz. Then I came back to Mumbai," he added.

Ayushmann is also glad he has entered the film industry at a promising time when the audience is opening up to concept-driven films as well as newcomers.

"I think the 1980s was the time when VCRs came and people hardly went to watch movies in the theatres. Then in the 1990s, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan became stars.

"I believe it is after the year 2000, there has been ample scope for movies which are subject-driven. This is the age of renaissance for the Indian cinema," he said.

"I think it is a very welcome change, newcomers are getting opportunities and lot of concept-driven films are being made. It is hard to fool the audience.

"Most of the population in India is young. When they go out, they want to spend on a film, which brings something on the table, something that is slightly intelligent and unique. Since India is growing, cinema is also growing," he added.

(Priyanka Sharma can be contacted at priyanka.s@ians.in)