‘MUM IS A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH IN MY LIFE’

A very grounded Ishaan Khatter says it is ‘important to not get so caught up in the Bollywood rat race that you lose your sense of self’

He has already made an amazing debut in noted Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds, set in Mumbai. And now, Ishaan Khatter turns a Rajasthan boy for his second film, Dhadak (adaptation of the Marathi hit, Sairat). Movie promotions can be “a little hectic” but he’s “enjoying it”, because “everything is an opportunity to learn about yourself,” says Ishaan, 22, as he talks about his film, halfbrother Shahid and more.

Are you feeling a little more relaxed than Janhvi (Kapoor, costar and debutante actor)? Even during my first release, I enjoyed the process of interacting with people and talking about the film. A lot of people feel exhausted by the promotions, as you’re often asked similar questions repeatedly, but I think it is still interesting.

Dhadak is more commercial in nature than Beyond the Clouds. Do you feel the entire experience is different, because at the end of the day, it’s all about the numbers? Not for me. Honestly, it shouldn’t matter to actors, but it does dictate a lot of the opportunities that come your way. I do feel the difference in terms of how Dhadak is being presented, and a much larger audience is receiving this film, so the reactions are [already] overwhelming. So, I do feel the magnitude of it. Hopefully, people will see that we’ve made an honest effort and it’s a film of its own, besides the fact that it’s an important story.

So, as an artist, you don’t see even the slightest difference? Honestly, these are things that I consider as externalities. I am very fortunate that for a living, I’m getting to do what I love. I’m beginning to understand the way the industry works but for me, it’s most important to maintain the momentum of positive energy, and get better with each film vis-à-vis my job and craft. I don’t discriminate between films. What’s most important is that I keep growing as an actor. It’s important to not get so caught up in the [Bollywood] rat race that you start losing your sense of self. So, I am just focused on building myself as a person.

Are you anxious that Dhadak will be compared to Sairat? Comparisons are already on. I think in a way, Dhadak is a tribute to Sairat. We did not make this film with the intention of making a better film than Sairat or even as good as that. We never intended to compete with Sairat. Our idea is to take the story forward and make it accessible to a larger audience and interpret it in our own way.

You’re also a very good dancer like your halfbrother, Shahid Kapoor. Guess dancing runs in the blood?

I feel very fortunate. Our mother (Neelima Azeem) is the first dancer in the family and she’s a far superior dancer than either of us. We have inherited everything from her. I come from a family that loves its job and is very involved. I want to keep getting better, so that I can make them proud. Your mother must have been a great pillar of strength for you? She is a symbol of strength in my life. She’s somebody from whom I’ve derived the meaning of strength and resilience, and she has also deeply embedded the value of women in my life. Women can be far stronger than men, and so I think she has been the most important person in my life. Also, we have a great time discussing films.