Ishaan Khatter shares insights on his unique journey in Bollywood, emphasizing the importance of hard work and authenticity in his craft
Mumbai: You know, when you grow up in a Bollywood family, people think you have it easy. But Ishaan Khatter is proving that’s not the case. He’s really carved his own path.
His mom, Neelima Azeem, is a well-known actress, and his brother, Shahid Kapoor, is a big name in the industry. But Ishaan didn’t just ride their coattails. He wanted to earn his place.
He said, “My family didn’t just make calls to get me roles. I had to work for it.” And he really did. Instead of a flashy debut, he started with a heartfelt film called *Beyond the Clouds*, directed by Majid Majidi.
That film was a game-changer for him. He felt like he was finally on the right track. Ishaan mentioned how Majidi was like a father figure, pushing him to grow as an actor. It gave him the confidence to chase the roles he truly wanted.
Even though he had a famous family, Ishaan’s childhood was all about the arts, not just about getting into films. He said, “I was inspired by my mom’s dedication, but nothing was handed to me.”
After *Beyond the Clouds*, he took a leap into the romance genre with *Dhadak*, which was a hit. But instead of sticking to that, he took on a challenging role in *A Suitable Boy*, showing he’s not afraid to take risks.
His Hollywood debut came next with *The Perfect Couple* on Netflix, where he played a character named Shooter Dival. He was thrilled with the response and how people connected with his character.
Landing that role was a bit of luck and a lot of hard work. He sent in a self-taped audition and got a callback. He laughed about how he didn’t even have anyone to help him with the lines that day.
He also had a fun cameo in *Don’t Look Up*, which he jokingly referred to as his first Hollywood gig. It was a cool experience for him, and he was excited to be part of such a big project.
One of the highlights of *The Perfect Couple* was the opening dance sequence. Ishaan shared that none of the cast wanted to do it at first, but once they got into it, it turned into a blast.
He reflected on how success and failure are just two sides of the same coin. For him, it’s all about the love for acting. “You can’t just coast through,” he said. “You’ve got to stay present.”
In the end, Ishaan’s journey is all about authenticity and hard work. He believes, “You’re only as good as your last piece of work.” And that’s what keeps him grounded and focused.
