‘THINGS HAVE COME TOGETHER QUICKLY’

Debutante Isabelle Kaif — Katrina Kaif’s younger sister — says she knew from a ‘very young age’ that she ‘wanted to be a performer’

She has always been extremely popular on social media, with the press and paparazzi as well. In fact, Isabelle Kaif’s debut Bollywood film has been in the news for a long time. And now, it is confirmed that Katrina Kaif’s younger sister is set to enter the film industry with Stanley D’costa’s dance film, Time To Dance. We caught up with the debutante for a conversation about her first film, being Katrina’s sister and more.

Are you more excited or nervous?

I am surely excited. It’s a Latin ballroom dance film and I don’t have much experience in that dance form, so we have been training a lot. But I am thrilled to be doing something new. There are a lot of new things — it’s my first film and it involves many new dance forms. But I love acting and art in all its forms, so it’s great.

Were you always interested in acting or has Katrina influenced you in a big way?

I was always interested in performing [arts]. I started dancing when I was very young and then I went to drama school and a performing arts school. So, I fell in love with acting, theatre and all the aspects of filmmaking. I even had my own theatre group in college. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a performer in some way or the other and then I guess Katrina made it seem more possible (smiles).

Katrina has been acting for 1314 years. Any recollections?

I remember doing my homework on the sets of Partner (2007) and prepping for my exams during weekends on the sets of Namastey London (2007). Yes, Katrina is a massive star but for me, it’s hard [to see her like that] as she is still the same person that she always was. It’s amazing to see her success and fame, but to me, she has always been my big sister.

It’s your first film and on top of that, a dancebased one. So, do you think it’ll be challenging?

Definitely, because we are learning about 12-13 new dance forms that are very technical. But it’s exciting too as it’s a very sweet love story with dance as the backdrop. What attracted me first was the story and then I thought, ‘I could also learn all the new dance forms, so let’s do it’. Hopefully, our hard work pays off. I am also excited to see how the film is going to turn out.

What about dance lessons...

Yes, I have been taking lessons for about two months. We started with two hours of practice but since last month, we have stepped it up a lot. The shoot starts either during the second half or towards the end of April. The exact dates are still being locked.

We have heard the entire film will be shot in London?

I was surprised when I found out that they will shoot the whole film in London. I had thought that we would do some scenes or some songs in Mumbai but it’s a schedule of 50-60 days in London. My family is really happy that I will be shooting in London since they will get to see me.

Talks around your debut film — about Katrina and Salman Khan launching you — have been there for a long time. So now, are you relieved that all the rumours and can die down?

Yes, because finally, it’s out there. Everything is set and it’s definite. Also, I no longer have to dodge questions [about it]. There were rumours [about my debut film] but I don’t know where they came from. But now, I am glad that it’s happening. It’s a bit of a relief that hopefully, rumours would die down a little bit now.

Do you think it’s the perfect time to enter Bollywood?

I feel everything happens when it’s supposed to happen. Things have come together quickly and unexpectedly. I just kind of went with the flow. I became the face of a big cosmetic brand and my debut film also happened. Apart from that, one or two other things have also kind of fallen into place. I really do believe that things happen when they are supposed to, and not necessarily when you want them to. You just have to be ready to cease those opportunities and go for it.

Being Katrina’s sister, how are you going to deal with people’s expectations?

It’s going be a big help — in every manner — to have a star like Katrina by your side…

It’s definitely helpful in any industry to have a mentor, guide, advisor, or someone with that kind of experience to help you with what you want to do and giving advice. So, she can tell me, ‘avoid this as these are the pitfalls or this is what really works’. It’s great to have a person who has kind of already tried and tested everything and knows what works in the industry. So, I think I am really lucky to have her as a mentor of sorts. She is always going to have my back with no ulterior motives because ultimately, she is family.

I ask myself the same question all the time. But I feel we are in very different spaces and are distinct [as individuals]. So I think I am coming into a slightly different space than she is in. Obviously, you want to do well and want the film to perform well but that’s in God’s hands. I am just going to do my best, work the hardest and try not to think too much about that question (laughs).

How do you see things panning out for you in the industry?

You can’t predict how things are going to turn out but honestly, I would love to do a bit of everything. That’s why I love acting so much because you can do everything — commercial love stories, dance films, character driven arthouse films as well as action. And I want to do it all. That’s one of the most exciting things about starting out — you still have it all to do. You can try your hand at every genre.

What’s the best advice Katrina has given you till date?

Katrina has given me a lot of advice, but the best one has been to work extremely hard and also enjoy it at the same time. Luckily, most people in the arts world are extremely passionate about what they do.