With the 2012 romantic comedy ‘Vicky Donor’, actor Ayushmann Khurrana had a memorable debut in Bollywood and began a lucrative acting career. Prior to this breakthrough, Ayushmann moved into anchoring after winning ‘MTV Roadies’ Season 2 in 2004. Director Shoojit Sircar spoke on the film’s budget and casting in an Unfiltered with Samdish episode, stating that he didn’t initially choose Ayushmann or Annu Kapoor.
Shoojit reflected on casting Ayushmann and shared that he approached an A-list actor prior to Ayushmann regarding the film. He chose not to disclose names, considering it unprofessional to do so. The actor responded with laughter, stating that he would not participate, citing the project as mainstream. Additionally, he reached out to another actor and received a similar reaction. When faced with such repeated instances, he felt disheartened. Consequently, he decided to move on.
He further added, “A friend from Delhi, who has been the casting director for all my films, asked if I wanted to meet a new guy. I had never seen him, I didn’t even know what Roadies was. I liked Ayushmann in the first meeting and he took the script home to think about it. We wanted somebody who could improvise and have a Delhi slang, we got it.”
Shoojit also mentioned that he initially contacted the late actor Om Puri for the character of Dr. Baldev Chaddha, ultimately played by Annu Kapoor. He explained, “I was meeting him for the first time, he was a star by then. At that time, he was going through some issues, so I don’t think he could give much time to the script, which I could sense during the first meeting. He was a little disoriented. I met him again and he told me that ‘Script toh theek hai, lekin Bollywood mai tum yeh karoge’! Meri liye shooting ke time problem hojaati, he looked uncomfortable with the subject.”
Shoojit then appealed to Annu Kapoor, who enthusiastically took up the role. He got so enthusiastic and excited about his look and the script. He shared that it was like a second innings for him and Annu was unbelievable in the film.
Directed by Shoojit Sircar and produced by actor John Abraham, ‘Vicky Donor’ is a romantic comedy film. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam, with Annu Kapoor and Dolly Ahluwalia in pivotal roles. Both Ayushmann and Yami made their film debut through this film. It is set against the background of sperm donation and infertility within a Bengali-Punjabi household. It was released in 2012.
