Better Actor: Varun Dhawan vs Ayushmann Khurrana vs Kartik Aaryan?

[Balaji]

These three actors started rising around the same time in Bollywood and each has shown decent range over the years, but their acting strengths differ a lot.

Varun Dhawan:
People often troll him because of some commercial films, but I think he's underrated as a performer. In movies like Badlapur, October and even Bhediya, he showed intensity, vulnerability and emotional control. He also naturally fits comedy and dance‑oriented roles better than most mainstream actors of his generation.

Ayushmann Khurrana:
Probably the most script‑dependent actor among the three, yet the most consistent in content‑driven cinema. Vicky Donor, Bala, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Dum Laga Ke Haisha proved he can carry middle‑class, relatable, awkward, emotional characters extremely well.

Kartik Aaryan:
I feel Kartik has improved a lot over time, but he's still behind the other two in acting depth. Dhamaka and Freddy show he's trying darker and more layered roles.

My ranking purely on acting:
1. Varun Dhawan
2. Ayushmann Khurrana
3. Kartik Aaryan

I know many will put Ayushmann at #1 because of his script choices and content cinema, which is fair. But if we talk pure acting range, commercial versatility and emotional intensity, I personally think Varun edges him slightly. What are your thoughts and how would you rank them? Let's discuss.

[Imtiaz]

Ayushmann Khurrana has done movies like Andhadhun, Bala, Vicky Donor and many more.

[Devendra]

Ayushmann > Varun >>>>>>>> Kartik

[Shalini]

I'm definitely not picking Kartik, lol.

[Namrata]

I just wanted to insult Ayushmann, so I made fun of his recent flop, but there was no need to humiliate him like that.

[Vivek]

How long will Varun keep hogging the Badlapur praise? The OP also ignored Andhadhun, Article 15 and an action‑hero film where Ayushmann isn't a small‑town boy.

[Pradeep]

Ayushmann in Andhadhun, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Badhai Do, Dream Girl. Varun in October, Badlapur. Kartik in Freddy, Chandu Champion, Dhamaka, Satyaprem (climax was nice). I think all three need better script selection and I don't get why Varun is doing Hai Jawani - that feels outdated.

[Amitabh]

Ayushmann > Varun > Kartik.

[Sameer]

Ayushmann is a far better actor than Varun and Kartik, but he doesn't push himself into more versatile roles. Varun is just a notch below Ayushmann; he hasn't impressed me in a mature role beyond Badlapur, though I see potential. It's odd that he was once compared to Vicky and Rajkumar and now he's stuck battling Kartik. How the mighty have fallen.

[Parth]

Ayushmann ≈ Varun - if we compare raw talent based on what they've done so far, Ayushmann is ahead by a comfortable margin.

[Omkar]

Varun can pull off any type of role. He's just wasting his potential trying to please a different audience. By the way, pulling off cringe comedy isn't easy - just look at Kartik.