‘I don’t think it’s all about talent in the film industry’
At just 24, actor Ishaan Khatter has managed to create his own space with films such as Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds (2018) and the latest being the series A Suitable Boy with acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. He has literally grown up being surrounded by the art form (his parents are actors Rajesh Khattar and Neelima Azeem, and Shahid Kapoor, his brother). While he has come so far in such less time, Bollywood itself is seen as a place where there are not equal opportunities for everyone, and talent maybe isn’t the only thing required to make it big.
And not mincing any words the actor says, “No, of course not, there are so many factors and things that weigh in to your success, or your positioning or recognition, whatever it is that people define success by. Opportunities are not always equal, but everybody has their own journey.”
Adding that “it’s not one’s business to mull and cry too much about opportunities”, Khatter adds, “Anyone could do that, and could be like ‘mujhe yeh nahi mila, woh nahi mila’, but I feel what’s more important is to make the most of what you get. And eventually yes, if you really have the legs you will get your space and light, your moment.”
Elaborating more on these factors, the actor says he has personally seen people who are hard workers, surpass talented people. “I know of people who are talented but didn’t quite develop it into a skill. So yes, it depends,” reveals Khatter.
Currently garnering praises for his act in A Suitable Boy opposite Tabu, he reveals that at one point, he was almost not going to be able to do it. Khatter tells us, “I was in talks for another thing when this came around. It was one of those things destined to happen. It all started when I was called in to audition for the part of Maan. This was back when my first two films hadn’t released. I was asked to read for a part and I auditioned. I didn’t know very much about the book, I only knew Mira Nair was directing it. After the first audition, my second meeting was with Mira di. She decided she wanted me to play the part. It always started off with the opportunity of working with her, and then Tabu playing Saeeda Bai. It was a very exciting opportunity.”
There are so many factors that weigh in to your success, or your positioning or whatever it is that people define success by. Opportunities are not always equal, but everybody has their own journey.
ISHAAN KHATTER, ACTOR