Ishaan Khatter is chasing his own version of Big Bollywood dreams

”Surrender or be wiped out” does this message ring a bell? Yes – this was India’s bold and clear message to Pakistan in 1971 before the 13-day war commenced. 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to India, making this the second-largest surrender by an army in the entire world after World War 2. Now, you may wonder where a young actor with Shahid Kapoor for a big brother may fit in this visceral narrative.

Ishaan Khatter, 28, born to Neelima Azeem and Rajesh Khattar plays Balram (Bali) in Pippa. Pippa – the movie takes its name after the tank PT-76 that played a vital role in making India win over Pakistan. Ishaan playing this character hits two birds with one stone – he makes Gen Z curious about the war and simultaneously manages to awaken patriotism within youth, in a digestible manner. Come along with us as we dive deeper into Ishaan’s mind and understand what made him pick this role over a massy Bollywood number.

What type of an actor are you – what kind of roles are your niche?

The kind of actor that doesn’t box himself into a type. Exploration is one of the greatest joys of being a professional actor – when given the opportunity. I am better off telling you what kind of person I am, but that might not be a conclusive assessment!

Tell us a bit about yourself: how was your school life, and work experience, how did you develop your passion for films?

– I grew up in a background where I was privy to arts and culture. Dancing and acting were always my first loves. As I grew older, I started watching more varied cinema and began to interact with the stories and the art of storytelling beyond the auditorium. As a teenager, I did everything I could do with my resources to learn, be it theatre workshops, intensive dance courses, or attending film festivals. At 19 I became an Assistant Director. At 21, I received the opportunity to do my first film and haven’t looked back since…

Someone on Reddit started a blind gossip column quoting, “His international work portfolio is growing! First Beyond the Clouds then A Suitable Boy followed by a cameo in star-studded Don’t Look Up!” What do you think about this?

I’ve been very lucky that these incredible makers have found me and seen something in me. Be it Majid Majidi, the first Academy Award-nominated Iranian filmmaker. Or Mira Nair, our very own trailblazing global filmmaker… Or skip to now, where I am working with Susanne Bier and 21 Laps for the Netflix series ‘The Perfect Couple’. They are all distinctly individual filmmakers and I consider myself fortunate to have worked with them at such an early stage in my career.

People say “He seems very careful about his acting choices and not in any rush to do films nonstop” Do you think you are very careful with your acting choices?

I concur with that statement. I am not in a rush because things can easily get messy when done hastily. I like to do one role at a time so I can give my fullest to it. Having said that, I am more energized than ever to do more work and would be glad to work back-to-back!

Is it challenging to be a Gen Z male, and find love in this fast-paced film industry? Is it easy to find people who understand where you come from mentally and emotionally?

It’s hard enough to find genuine connection and unconditional love no matter what profession you’re in, hahaha. Best not to rush this aspect of life either for me!

What was the most challenging period as an actor…How much do you look up to for Shahid’s approval since he’s an established actor.

I do look up to him and his thoughts are of course important to me, not only because he’s such a fine actor but also because he’s my elder brother and has always been a pillar of support for me.

What was that one thing about your latest film Pippa that made you say yes to the script?

It’s a captivating tale, one that transcends any single character or individual. When I got the chance to delve into this distinctive and inspiring role, especially for a young actor, I couldn’t pass it up. Having noticed Raja Menon’s excellent direction in ‘Airlift,’ I was eager to work with him.

During the pandemic, we connected over a Zoom call for the script narration. I had some reservations about potential connection issues, but as Raja Menon unfolded the script, I was completely absorbed. The narrative was so compelling that it held my attention from start to finish – a promising sign.

Breaking it down, the story is a remarkable piece of Indian history that deserves to be shared. The role itself is a rare gem for a young actor like me – brave, intricate, and emotionally layered. I might even be the youngest actor to portray an army captain. What makes it even more special is that it’s the first film centered around armoured regiments, adding a unique touch to the project.

The script’s family dynamics, emotional intensity, and the timeless quality of the writing all contributed to its appeal. It’s like a time capsule with too many intriguing elements to ignore. Simply put, there were too many fascinating aspects to let this script slip away, and those reasons fuelled my decision to be a part of it.

What are a few lessons Pippa has taught you?

Too many to summarise. Lessons about conviction, about trust and not the least about love! It’s a film that’s taught me many lessons, some that I’m prepared to talk about and some that I’m still digesting. It’s been an immense journey, a long one. Making the film has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s taught me definitely a lesson about conviction and backing oneself and having faith in one’s gut instincts.

It’s also taught me that I want to work with incredible people who lift each other up and are there to make the work better every day. And you know, not there for any selfish purposes or agendas. Yeah, and they were incredibly talented individuals all coming together collaborating to make this film better. And that’s the kind of environment I would like to work in going forward. And I think it’s also been a very interesting experience for me as an actor.

I think I’ve grown up a lot through the experience of this film. You know, I already had a journey with it, seen ups and downs. And finally, now that it’s out and receiving so much affection and so much love from the audiences, it’s a huge validation and it’s a feeling that I think is very encouraging and I think it keeps on giving. You know, it’s only the first few days since release and every day I receive, you know, some beautiful responses from the audiences.

The fact that the Army has received this film with open arms and been so emphatic in their praise, they’ve said it’s the most authentic depiction of the Army in an Indian film. What more can one ask for? So I have definitely learned the way I want to keep working going forward.