Ayushmann Khurrana on Becoming Rajshri’s Prem: ‘It Feels Like More Than Just a Childhood Dream’

Ayushmann Khurrana's association with Rajshri Productions has turned into a deeply personal experience for the actor. At the title track launch of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, Ayushmann, along with co-star Sharvari Wagh, filmmaker Sooraj R. Barjatya and composer Himesh Reshammiya, spoke about the film and what it means to step into the world of Rajshri. For Ayushmann, the connection goes back to his childhood, when watching Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! with his extended family left a lasting impression on him.

Talking about his bond with the production house, Ayushmann said, “My bond with Rajshri isn't just mine; it belongs to all of India—to every family. The responsibility they’ve taken upon themselves to unite families through cinema is, I think, truly beautiful.” He explained that Rajshri's cinema had a strong influence on his own relationship with Hindi films and the idea of family that has traditionally been at the heart of the banner's storytelling.

The actor then recalled watching Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! with his entire family and how the experience shaped his connection with the iconic character of Prem. “I remember watching Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! with my entire family—extended family included—and after seeing it, I fell in love with the character ‘Prem’ and with Hindi cinema itself,” Ayushmann shared.

For the actor, however, it wasn't simply the character that stayed with him. He also connected with the larger celebration of family relationships that ran through the film. “I fell in love with the inherent strength of our families,” he said, describing the emotional impact Rajshri's films had on him while growing up.

Years later, Ayushmann now finds himself playing the iconic Rajshri character himself in Yeh Prem Mol Liya. The actor's journey from watching Prem on screen as a young audience member to eventually portraying the character has given the project a particularly emotional significance. And sitting across from Sooraj Barjatya during the interaction appeared to make the moment even more surreal for him.

Ayushmann recalled a particularly touching memory from the film's shoot involving the veteran filmmaker. “I recall how, whenever he came to the vanity van to explain a scene, he would always take off his shoes before entering. I used to say, ‘Sir, please don't take off your shoes; please, just come inside.’ But he never listened; he would always remove them,” the actor said.

He then shared how he would respond to Barjatya's gesture. “I would then touch his feet, and he would sincerely bless me with ‘Ayushman Bhava’ before explaining the scene,” Ayushmann recalled. The simple interaction between the actor and filmmaker became a meaningful memory for him, especially given the place Barjatya's cinema has held in his life.

Looking back at the journey, Ayushmann added, “It all feels so surreal to me. It feels like more than just a childhood dream; it feels almost too good to be true.” His words captured the emotional full circle of becoming the new Prem after having grown up watching one of the most recognisable characters associated with Rajshri cinema.

Yeh Prem Mol Liya is an upcoming Hindi-language musical family drama directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya and produced by Rajshri Productions in association with Mahaveer Jain Films. The film is scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on November 27, 2026, bringing together a new generation of actors within Barjatya's signature family-oriented cinematic world.

The film marks the return of Rajshri's beloved Prem character to the big screen after a gap of 12 years. Ayushmann will portray Prem, also known as Sonu, while Sharvari plays Poonam. The two actors are sharing screen space for the first time, bringing a fresh pairing to a story that draws from the emotional traditions associated with Rajshri cinema.

The ensemble cast includes seasoned performers such as Anupam Kher, Seema Pahwa, Swanand Kirkire and Geeta Agrawal Sharma, while Himesh Reshammiya has composed the music. With its emphasis on family, relationships, romance and music, the film is shaping up as a new-age entry into the kind of cinematic world that Ayushmann himself grew up watching.

For Ayushmann, though, the significance of Yeh Prem Mol Liya goes well beyond playing another character. His memories of watching Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! with his family, his admiration for Prem and his personal interactions with Sooraj Barjatya have all come together in one project. As he takes on the iconic character for a new generation, the actor appears to be carrying not just a role, but a piece of his own childhood with him onto the big screen.

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