Bollywood: Ayushmann Khurrana and Andrea Kevichusa on political action thriller 'Anek'

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is known for taking on roles that not only challenge stereotypes but question social stigmas and break new ground, whether it’s that of a prematurely balding man in Bala (2019), the hesitant groom of an overweight bride in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, or even the piano player who pretends to be visually impaired and unwittingly gets embroiled in a murder, in Andhadhun (2018).

His latest, the political action thriller Anek, sees him playing an undercover officer; he is teaming up for the second time with director Anubhav Sinha, after Article 15 (2019). Anek examines conflicts in the North East region of India and the discrimination faced by its communities.

Andrea Kevichusa, a popular model from Nagaland, is making her Bollywood debut in Anek alongside Ayushmann and plays an international level boxing champion called Aido.

We caught up with Ayushmann and Andrea over Zoom to know more about Anek, which was shot at “extraordinary” locations in North East India.

We’ve seen the trailer of Anek and it seems pretty intense. It also throws light on conflicts in North East India, but how much can both of you tell us about your roles and the story as well?

Andrea: I play a boxer who is from North East India and, she doesn’t know it, but her dad is into insurgency; she’s trying to find her place in the country and (wants to know) why she can’t be accepted at par with the rest of her peers.

Ayushmann: I play an undercover cop called Joshua, and he is on a mission to unite people, especially in the North East where insurgency is happening. It’s a very layered character in a way, it’s not an easy character to play. It’s very internal.

He has this dichotomy in his mind as to whether he should follow the protocol of his seniors or he should follow his heart. So that will be very interesting to see on screen.

After working on this film, how much more have you become aware of the situation in the North East?

Ayushmann: So most of the research was done by Anubhav Sinha and we followed it, mostly. Yes, we know the gist of it, but of course he and the research team are more aware of the nitty-gritty.

But as an actor, I think it’s empathy or intent that should be seen, which reflects on screen. My first induction into the discrimination or kind of racial abuses people are suffering in the rest of the country, especially students from the North East, was when I was in Chandigarh and aged 18 or 19. My band member, a guitarist, was from Manipur. So I always wanted to do a film out of the North East, and I’m glad it’s happening with Anubhav Sinha, who is very credible.

Andrea, as someone who hails from the North East, are you happy that you’re beginning your career with a film like Anek?

Of course! Because I know a lot of actors from the North East region, even if they do get opportunities, they are misrepresented, stereotyped or kind of pigeonholed into just one role, like a diversity hire!

I am really glad and honoured to have had this opportunity and chance, and I think it was about time.

What’s the significance of the title Anek?

Ayushmann: It’s unity in diversity, in our country. Anek means varied, many. I think he’s played with the title very well; the ‘ne’ for North East, stands out. So it’s symbolic and beautiful at the same time. India has anek languages, anek religions and regions; that’s the uniqueness and beauty of our country and it should be celebrated.

In a recent interview about the theme of Anek, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha commented on how “in spite of being different in our cultures, traditions, languages, India can rise above and win as a country”. Do you feel films like this are important in this day and age, to unify rather than polarize people?

Ayushmann: Films like Anek are very important in every era, not just this one. I think we suffer from stereotypes across the country; all communities are stereotyped in some way or the other.

We should realize that we’re (all) just humans; we have different demographics but that doesn’t define you as a human being, you know? So Anek deals with that situation and it’s a microcosm and has a global connect.

Andrea, as a newcomer, what was it like working with Ayushmann?