PIX: Ayushmann, Sholay, and some Nautanki!

Keeping up with the backdrop of the film, the lead stars of Rohan Sippy's new film Nautanki Saala -- Ayushmann Khurrana and Kunal Roy Kapur -- put up a theatrical performance to mark the film's first look launch.

Held at Chitrakoot grounds in Andheri, a western Mumbai suburb, the event saw Ayushmann and Kunal dress up like nautankiwalas or folk drama artistes.

The duo recreated the famous water tanker suicide scene, enacted by Dharmendra in Ramesh Sippy's cult classic Sholay.

Kunal played Dharmendra's Veeru, while Ayushamann played Amitabh Bachchan's Jai.

Kapur climbed up to the top, as an inebriated Veeru, while Ayushmann tried to placate him from the ground.

The film borrows its title Nautanki Saala from Amitabh Bachchan's memorable remark about his dramatic buddy at the end of suicide sequence.

Kunal came down with the help of a harness, revealing the first poster of the film.

Nautanki Saala is set to release on April 12.

Ayushmann Khurrana puts on a cape for the show.

This is his second Hindi film after last year's sleeper hit Vicky Donor.

Kunal Roy Kapoor was previously seen in Delhi Belly, another buddy comedy costarring Imran Khan and Vir Das.

Ramesh Sippy, who is one of the producers of the film, celebrates the launch with wife Kiran Juneja.

The film's producers, Bhushan Kumar of T-Series with uncle Krishan Kumar were also present at the launch.