Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has addressed the controversy around Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and the reported "secondary casting" comment made by Jude Anthany Joseph on a shelved Hindi film project. Joseph had said that he had walked away from the project after a dispute over Mohanlal’s role as a producer.
Jude Anthany Joseph, best known for the Malayalam survival drama 2018, had expressed his plans for a Hindi film with Ayushmann Khurrana and Mohanlal. The project eventually fell apart as the director was trying to figure out what Mohanlal’s role would be. Joseph said that referring to the veteran Malayalam actor as a “secondary artist” did not sit well with him, especially because Mohanlal was a very important character in the story.
The news had a lot to say about movie lovers in Kerala, where Mohanlal still has many of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema. What made people question whether Ayushmann had a dispute with the company or production team working on the movie?
Ayushmann has now responded in a very positive light. In a recent interview, he expressed his admiration for Jude Anthany Joseph and Mohanlal. Ayushmann did not make matters worse as he praised Jude’s filmmaking and spoke to Mohanlal warmly and called him a legend.
The response has shifted the focus from speculation to respect for the professional dignity of the performers and the artists involved. Jude also explained that the Hindi project was abandoned because the filmmaker and production house had different creative approaches. His explanation implies that it was more complicated than the actors’ clash.
The original project was expected to bring together two major talents from different parts of Indian cinema. Ayushmann has established himself in Bollywood with films that often combine entertainment with special social or emotional themes while Mohanlal is one of Malayalam cinema’s most accomplished performers.
Jude also has Mohanlal to work with. The director is now involved in Thudakkam, a Malayalam film with Vismaya Mohanlal (her acting debut). Mohanlal is also attached to the project, which was released in August 2026.
Jude had spoken positively about Mohanlal's work. His admiration for the actor has been expressed in several public exchanges, and it is not surprising that he is reluctant to use the term 'secondary artist' in the movie.
So the controversy also highlights the challenges in assembling large-scale film projects. Casting decisions can be made in terms of character importance, screen time, scheduling, creative direction and production requirements. And a conflict over any of these elements can cause a project to be altered or abandoned before filming begins.
For fans, the biggest takeaway from Ayushmann’s latest comments is the absence of hostility between the actors. His praise for Mohanlal and Jude suggests that the conflict over the project shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a personal conflict.
Jude has also added that his professional relationship with Ayushmann has not completely ended. Reports point to the filmmaker having the next project with Ayushmann and other actors, but details are kept under wraps.
Thudakkam, too, has brought more attention to Jude Anthany Joseph following his earlier success with 2018. The film is significant because it brings Vismaya Mohanlal into the world of acting and another connection between the filmmaker and the Mohanlal family is made.
The “secondary casting” controversy could prove to be a memorable chapter in the story of a film that never got made. But Ayushmann’s answer makes the conversation feel more positive. By recognizing Mohanlal as a legend, the actor has strengthened the respect in India’s film industry.
While the Ayushmann-Mohanlal collaboration remains unclear, the episode has certainly raised the possibility that these two stars will share the screen in the future (with the right pair of stars eventually working together). For now, fans will have to wait for official announcements about their next projects.
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