Khushalii Kumar Was Cast for Talent, Not T-Series Legacy, Says Director Aakashaditya Lama
Digital desk
Actor Khushalii Kumar and filmmaker Akashaditya Lama have spoken candidly about their upcoming film Dulhaniya Le Aayegi, addressing everything from changing attitudes towards marriage to Khushalii's casting and her identity beyond the T-Series legacy.
During a conversation about the film, Lama dismissed suggestions that Khushalii was chosen because of her association with the Kumar family. Instead, he said the decision was based purely on her performances as an actor.
In a light-hearted remark, the filmmaker joked that he currently runs a small music label and is therefore a "rival" to T-Series, making it unlikely that business connections influenced the casting decision. He said he had watched Khushalii's performances in Dhokha: Round D Corner and parts of Starfish before finalising her for the lead role.
According to Lama, the character of Navya required an actor who did not carry a fixed on-screen image. He felt Khushalii's relatively fresh screen presence and the fact that she had not previously attempted comedy made her suitable for the role. After narrating the script, the actor immediately expressed interest in joining the project.
The conversation also focused on the film's central theme of marriage at a time when many young people are becoming increasingly hesitant about making long-term commitments.
Lama said marriage remains an important institution because it forms the foundation of family life. While Dulhaniya Le Aayegi is presented as a comedy, he explained that the film also explores emotional relationships, particularly the bond between a father and daughter, through humour and light-hearted storytelling.
Khushalii echoed those views, saying marriage should never be treated as an obligation or something that must happen within a fixed timeline. She believes people should make the decision only when they are emotionally prepared and have found the right partner. The film, she said, attempts to convey that message in an entertaining way.
Speaking about sharing screen space with veteran actors Piyush Mishra and Mahesh Manjrekar, both Lama and Khushalii described the experience as one of the highlights of the production.
Lama noted that despite both senior actors being accomplished filmmakers themselves, they placed complete trust in his direction throughout the shoot. He said that once actors have confidence in the director's vision, the filmmaking process becomes much smoother.
Khushalii praised Piyush Mishra's enthusiasm and professionalism, saying he brought the same energy to every shooting day regardless of the schedule. She also described working opposite Mahesh Manjrekar in emotionally charged father-daughter scenes as a memorable learning experience because of his natural acting style.
Reflecting on memorable moments from the shoot, Lama singled out two scenes that remain particularly close to him. One features Navya struggling to tell her father that she does not want to marry, while another involves a lengthy emotional monologue performed by Khushalii in a single take. According to the director, preview audiences shifted from laughter to silence during the sequence, making it one of the film's most impactful moments.
Khushalii, meanwhile, recalled that one of the most enjoyable aspects of filming was watching Lama perform scenes himself before explaining them to the cast. With a theatre background, the director often demonstrated every emotion and expression, creating several humorous behind-the-scenes moments.
The interview also touched upon Khushalii's career outside acting. She said she feels proud to be recognised as the daughter of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar, but equally values opportunities that come solely because of her own work. Before entering films, she established herself as a fashion designer and worked internationally, including projects in Paris, New York and for Hollywood clients.
She added that acting opportunities such as Dulhaniya Le Aayegi were offered after filmmakers watched her performances rather than because of family connections.
Khushalii also spoke about philanthropy, revealing that she supports the education of several young girls and regularly contributes to charitable initiatives. She said those values were inherited from her father, who believed that success carries a responsibility to help others.
With its blend of comedy, family emotions and contemporary conversations around marriage, Dulhaniya Le Aayegi aims to present a relatable story while introducing audiences to a different side of Khushalii Kumar's acting journey.
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Khushalii Kumar Was Cast for Talent, Not T-Series Legacy, Says Director Aakashaditya Lama
Digital desk
During a conversation about the film, Lama dismissed suggestions that Khushalii was chosen because of her association with the Kumar family. Instead, he said the decision was based purely on her performances as an actor.
In a light-hearted remark, the filmmaker joked that he currently runs a small music label and is therefore a "rival" to T-Series, making it unlikely that business connections influenced the casting decision. He said he had watched Khushalii's performances in Dhokha: Round D Corner and parts of Starfish before finalising her for the lead role.
According to Lama, the character of Navya required an actor who did not carry a fixed on-screen image. He felt Khushalii's relatively fresh screen presence and the fact that she had not previously attempted comedy made her suitable for the role. After narrating the script, the actor immediately expressed interest in joining the project.
The conversation also focused on the film's central theme of marriage at a time when many young people are becoming increasingly hesitant about making long-term commitments.
Lama said marriage remains an important institution because it forms the foundation of family life. While Dulhaniya Le Aayegi is presented as a comedy, he explained that the film also explores emotional relationships, particularly the bond between a father and daughter, through humour and light-hearted storytelling.
Khushalii echoed those views, saying marriage should never be treated as an obligation or something that must happen within a fixed timeline. She believes people should make the decision only when they are emotionally prepared and have found the right partner. The film, she said, attempts to convey that message in an entertaining way.
Speaking about sharing screen space with veteran actors Piyush Mishra and Mahesh Manjrekar, both Lama and Khushalii described the experience as one of the highlights of the production.
Lama noted that despite both senior actors being accomplished filmmakers themselves, they placed complete trust in his direction throughout the shoot. He said that once actors have confidence in the director's vision, the filmmaking process becomes much smoother.
Khushalii praised Piyush Mishra's enthusiasm and professionalism, saying he brought the same energy to every shooting day regardless of the schedule. She also described working opposite Mahesh Manjrekar in emotionally charged father-daughter scenes as a memorable learning experience because of his natural acting style.
Reflecting on memorable moments from the shoot, Lama singled out two scenes that remain particularly close to him. One features Navya struggling to tell her father that she does not want to marry, while another involves a lengthy emotional monologue performed by Khushalii in a single take. According to the director, preview audiences shifted from laughter to silence during the sequence, making it one of the film's most impactful moments.
Khushalii, meanwhile, recalled that one of the most enjoyable aspects of filming was watching Lama perform scenes himself before explaining them to the cast. With a theatre background, the director often demonstrated every emotion and expression, creating several humorous behind-the-scenes moments.
The interview also touched upon Khushalii's career outside acting. She said she feels proud to be recognised as the daughter of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar, but equally values opportunities that come solely because of her own work. Before entering films, she established herself as a fashion designer and worked internationally, including projects in Paris, New York and for Hollywood clients.
She added that acting opportunities such as Dulhaniya Le Aayegi were offered after filmmakers watched her performances rather than because of family connections.
Khushalii also spoke about philanthropy, revealing that she supports the education of several young girls and regularly contributes to charitable initiatives. She said those values were inherited from her father, who believed that success carries a responsibility to help others.
With its blend of comedy, family emotions and contemporary conversations around marriage, Dulhaniya Le Aayegi aims to present a relatable story while introducing audiences to a different side of Khushalii Kumar's acting journey.
