Sriram Raghavan and Ayushmann Khurrana Discuss Andhadhun 2, Theatrical Trends at FICCI Frames 2025

Ayushmann Khurrana, Sriram Raghavan, and Denzil Dias, VP and Managing Director - India Theatrical at Warner Bros. Discovery, attended the ‘Cinema at Crossroads - The Rules of the Big Screen’ session on Day 1 of FICCI Frames 2025 in Mumbai. The panel discussed films, audiences, and changing theatrical trends, including their 2018 collaboration, Andhadhun.

During the session, Denzil Dias explained the strategy behind releasing Obsession in India. Ayushmann Khurrana joked that the movie felt like Sriram Raghavan's genre, adding on a serious note that he appreciated the newness of the emotion in Obsession.

Ayushmann also pointed to Hanuman Ansh and Obsession as examples of budget-friendly films from different worlds that connect with people, emphasizing the need to make similar films. He spoke about the importance of great word of mouth and content creation for a film's success, and noted that it is unfair that certain great films do not get proper showcasing.

Toward the end of the session, Ayushmann point-blank asked Sriram Raghavan, “When are you making Andhadhun 2?” Sriram smiled and replied, “Hopefully, when we get the right story which doesn’t screw up the first film!”

Sriram also shared an anecdote about the casting of Andhadhun, revealing that five or six actors refused or politely declined the film. He recalled that when Ayushmann first heard the narration, his reaction was that the film needed an actor rather than a star, which is how he sold himself on doing the project.