ISHAAN KHATTER

Breaking Boundaries, Finding Home

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The actor opens up about his career arc and why Homebound is his most personal and proudest film yet.

Ramesh Somani: Your first two films, Beyond the Clouds and Dhadak (which just marked its seventh anniversary), were worlds apart. Did that contrast define your early acting rhythm?

Ishaan Khatter: Yes, it did. And I think that's been a recurring theme in my career. My first year and my seventh year feel like mirror images. I hope I've expanded on that and pushed myself further. Diversity and range have always excited me. When I think of Beyond the Clouds and Dhadak, and then look at last year with The Perfect Couple, The Royals, and now Homebound, it reminds me of who I set out to be as an actor. I don't want to box myself in. Some films feel very personal; others you do to shock yourself, to enter a different environment and surprise both yourself and the audience. Following up The Royals with Homebound has been that kind of experience. The Royals let me explore performance in a new way, glamorous and fun; Homebound feels deeply personal and bigger than my own artistic journey. I'm proud of it, grateful, and I want to keep expanding in both directions.

RS: You've worked with Majid Majidi, Mira Nair and now Nicole Kidman. What do global collaborations teach you?

IK: They open up your worldview and perspective. Different stories need different pitches of performance. Working early with different filmmakers and industries helped me adapt culturally. First, it gives you perspective; from there, it’s a journey of specificity, being precise to the story and character you're portraying.