Ayushmann Khurrana reacts to Pati Patni Aur Woh Do criticism, calls it pati-verse

While social media has already started debating whether Pati Patni Aur Woh Do is “promoting cheating”, lead star Ayushmann Khurrana insisted that people are missing the point entirely. According to him, the film is less about betrayal and more about absolute comedy of errors.

In an exclusive chat with India Today, the actor further shared about the film creating a 'pati-verse' and the comparisons with Sanjeev Kumar and Kartik Aaryan.

Ayushmann Khurrana says the film does not glorify infidelity

When asked about the film using comedy to glorify cheating, the actor dismissed it instantly, adding that the women in the film dominate the narrative.

He said, “In fact, women in the film have the most agency. I am the one - the chosen sufferer. Also, it's not just mere tokenism when it comes to that. All three of them are like alphas in a way. Rakul's character is a sigma; probably, she's a proper alpha. And so, I think this is the beauty of the film, that it's not male-centric. I think the characters and the roles are equally divided.”

Ayushmann also stressed that despite the premise, the film doesn’t glorify infidelity, and as a responsible actor, he would never take on something like that.

The actor said, “And the climax, they all come together. I think you have to see it to believe it. We are not glorifying cheating. It's not about infidelity. It's a comedy of errors. And personally, I will never do a regressive film. Because I have a certain filmography, I have always stood up for certain subjects. I have chosen subjects that are conversation starters. And this, of course, is not a message-oriented film. It's pure comedy... it's not even a rom-com. But in the end, you will never say that it's not progressive, or it's not a 2026 value film.”

The 41-year-old actor further went down the memory lane to share his earliest memory of the original Pati Patni Aur Woh. He smiled to say that it has little to do with the plot and everything to do with the iconic song, Thande thande pani.

Actor recalls memories of iconic Thande Thande Pani song

Recalling his childhood in Chandigarh, the actor burst into nostalgia.

He said, “My first memory is the song, Thande thande paani se nahana chahiye. I have bathed multiple times to that song since childhood. Itni baar, baalti se nahata tha, aur kabhi kabhi sir, nalke pe lag jata tha (I used to bathe using a bucket, and there were times when I would get hurt with the tap). That's the core memory that I have. And a geyser was a luxury back then, so even in cold winters, I have bathed with thande pani (cold water).

"So, that song used to encourage me from Pati Patni Aur Woh, the OG. I don't remember the entire film, but I know the snippets here and there. And it was like an iconic film. And I am so glad that we are part of the syntactic,” the actor added.

"Universe of husbands"

With audiences inevitably comparing him not just to Sanjeev Kumar but also to Kartik Aaryan, who headlined the 2019 adaptation, Ayushmann appeared remarkably unfazed. For him, this is less a remake and more an expanding cinematic universe of confused husbands.

“I think it's not a comparison. It's like we're taking it forward. This is like a pati ka universe (universe of husbands). Like we have a spy universe, we have a horror universe, but we have more than 40 crore husbands in India who don't have a universe for them. So it's just that universe, and we are just taking it forward," he said.

"We really feel that the film is immensely funny and entertaining, and in fact, I am excited that people [would] watch something we have been waiting for because it's a community watch,” the actor added.

Ayushmann Khurrana's next

And while promotions for the comedy film are keeping him busy, Ayushmann is equally emotional about another project altogether -- his upcoming collaboration with Sooraj Barjatya. Calling it a dream fulfilled, the actor became visibly sentimental while talking about working with the filmmaker whose cinema defined family viewing for generations.

“This is like a dream come true. I am not kidding. One of my earlier films I watched in the theatre was Barjatya. So, I have mostly seen most of Barjatya films Rajshri films. Then I am up here, and I have been a huge fan. The film is nearing completion, with only seven more days of shooting remaining. We are coming this year-end, and I am truly excited. It's like having a spiritual catharsis when I am on the Barjatya set," the actor said.

Also starring Rakul Preet Singh, Sara Ali Khan and Wamiqa Gabbi, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do will arrive in cinemas on May 15.