While Aamir Khan's Dangal made Aparshakti Khurana popular with Bollywood's casting directors, the actor says it is his role as Rajkummar Rao's friend in Stree that brought him acclaim from movie buffs. Catching up with mid-day in the midst of shooting for Luka Chuppi in Gwalior, Khurana tells mid-day, "People don't remember me from Dangal at all. I looked different in the film when compared to how I do off screen. It's good that I could transform myself. But, I had to keep reminding people that I am the actor from that film."

Khurana is quick to point out that the film, in which he played cousin to the wrestling stars, made him capable of choosing the right scripts in his career. "I may not have done a film that sees me as the leading man because it's more important to do good roles. Running after screen time isn't my motive. I want to earn credibility as an actor. There were films that I turned down, even though I was being offered the lead role. Today, many of them haven't seen the light of day. I don't see a point in being part of forgettable movies."