At FICCI FRAMES 2025, Ayushmann Khurrana reflected on the impact of his 2019 film, Article 15, directed by Anubhav Sinha, and how it shifted audience perceptions of him. The film, an investigative thriller addressing caste-based discrimination, is based on Article 15 of the Constitution of India, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.

Khurrana acknowledged that Article 15 was a turning point in his career, altering how the public viewed his capabilities and choices as an actor. The film gained considerable critical acclaim and was also a box office success.

Article 15 tells the story of Ayan Ranjan, a city-bred police officer who is posted to a small village in Uttar Pradesh. Confronted with the harsh realities of caste-based discrimination and violence, he is compelled to take action after two young Dalit women are kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered. The film portrays his struggle to navigate a system deeply entrenched in social injustice, challenging the foundations of Indian society.

The movie also initiated a petition called '#DontSayBhangi' on Change.org to ban the casual usage of the word 'Bhangi'. Ayushmann Khurrana, Anubhav Sinha and the whole team of Article 15 believed that this word is an abuse to those so called 'lower caste' people; and it should not exist.

According to trade website, Box Office India, Article 15 had good evening growth which pushed the film and the collections are far better than the last film of Ayushmann Khurana Andhadhun which opened to 2.45 crores.

Anubhav Sinha said that anger was the reason he made Article 15, and the plot was just a tool. Sinha also recalls being uncomfortable with discrimination from his childhood.

The film's success underscored the audience's appetite for stories that tackle difficult social issues head-on. It also demonstrated Khurrana's willingness to take on roles that were both challenging and socially relevant, thereby broadening his appeal and establishing him as a thinking actor.