The ‘Khallas’ girl is back!
Isha Koppikar Narang is excited about her return to South cinema
Having made her debut in the 1998-Telugu movie Chandralekha, co-starring Nagarjuna, Isha Koppikar Narang went on to act in several films in the South. Once tagged the Khallas girl for doing a special number in Ram Gopal Varma’s 2002-film Company, Isha will be soon seen in the series called Kadapa, in which she dons a real life character. Her next Tamil Sci-Fi film is Ayalaan in which she apparently does lots of action (which she compares to the Angelina Jolie film Lara Croft). Isha, who’s a black belt in Taekwondo, is very excited about Ayalaan.
Excerpts from the interview: 2020–21 HAS BEEN A HAPPENING YEAR FOR YOU, PROFESSIONALLY
Yes, and 2022 is going to be a happening year for me, too. Sharad Kelkar and I are cast in a South-Indian film called Ayalaan, which is a multilingual Sci-Fi film directed by Ravi Kumar. It’s a one-of-its-kind film with some wonderful special effects.
HOW WAS YOUR RECEPTION DOWN SOUTH WHEN YOU STARTED YOUR FIRST INNINGS HERE?
I was welcomed warmly, and I had some great innings, which I cherish. I was also tagged the ‘Southern-Siren’ and I was happy with that tag. [Smiles].
NOW YOU’RE BACK IN THE SOUTH. HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
I’m happy that I’ve been bestowed upon not one but a few more chances again; it feels so nice. And given this is a multi-lingual film with a Hindi version too. Presently, the film is in post-production, and though the shooting is over, because there are a few graphics, I think the film will see the light of the day next year.
YOUR ROLE IN AYALAAN?
I play the antagonist, opposite Sharad Kelkar, and have grey shades. It’s a role like that of Lara Croft with lots of action in it.
YOU PLAYED A METICULOUS ANTAGONIST IN THE 2003-FILM QAYAMAT: CITY UNDER THREAT. AND NOW THIS?
I believe only the hero and villain are prominent in any film. Most times, girls don’t have much to do — they’re either running around the trees or just playing a second fiddle to the hero. Movies that have a female as the protagonist are a lot of fun. I want to do a film in which a female plays a pivotal character, with everything revolving around her.
YOU THINK AUDIENCES WOULD RELATE TO GREY SHADES?
PEOPLE LIKE TO WATCH ACTION-PACKED ROLES AS SUCH CHARACTERS DO EXIST IN REAL LIFE BECAUSE OF WHICH AUDIENCES CAN RELATE WITH THEM. AND REMEMBER; EVEN SHAH RUKH KHAN STARTED WITH A STRONG NEGATIVE CHARACTER IN THE 1993-FILM DARR — ISHA KOPPIKAR NARANG
Of course people like to watch them as such characters do exist in real life because of which audiences can relate with them. And remember; even Shah Rukh Khan started with a strong negative character in the 1993-film Darr
YOU’RE AGAIN JOINING HANDS WITH DIRECTOR RGV. WHAT CHANGES DO YOU NOTE IN HIM?
(Laughs aloud) Yes. I share an excellent rapport with Ramu. Just as you had mentioned here, I did get the Khallas tag for doing a song for his film. As for changes, I believe everybody changes but creativity never dies. My project with Ramu is titled Kadapa, and it’s based on an ultra-violent region in the South. It’s a true life story about the relationship of the character I portray, which belongs to the NTR era. I play a North Indian who’s posted there and speaks Hindi.*