Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 30, 2019)

Isabelle Kaif, who is making her acting debut with LoveYatri actor Aayush Sharma in the Karan Bhutani directorial Kwatha, started work on the film at a Mumbai studio last week with montage scenes. After a short spell in Mumbai in January, the team will head to Delhi for a 10-day shoot and then to the North-East for 45 days where, according to producer Aditya Joshi, a majority of the shoot will take place. “Apart from some dramatic scenes, we’ll also shoot the action sequences,” he informs.

Meanwhile, Karan says that the film, which has Aayush playing an army officer and Isabelle, a doctor, ‘is not a war film’. “Kwatha is based on a true incident and it also shows the humane side of the Indian Army. Our defence forces don’t just guard our borders and fight the enemy, but also work for the people of the country,” he says, going on to heap praise on his leading lady. “Isabelle’s formal training in acting reflects in her work. On the set, she knows what is required of her and she is always improving. Only a confident actor can do that spontaneously.”

Meanwhile, Aayush, Karan informs, trained at an army camp for a few months in Pune as part of his prep and put on 12 kg of muscle weight. Describing the time he spent with the soldiers as an “enlightening experience”, Aayush says, “Our idea is to tell a story that not many people know, and at the same time, also do it with responsibility, without making the action look filmi.”

Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 28, 2019)

Aayush and Arpita Khan Sharma welcomed their second child, daughter Ayat, on Friday at a Khar hospital. The new mother had opted for a C-section on December 27, so it would coincide with elder brother Salman Khan’s 54th birthday.

Aayush, who began shooting for his second film, Kwatha, earlier this week, took a 10-day break to be by Arpita’s side. “I have a two-month outdoor shoot coming up, so I wanted to be at home before that”, says the actor, adding that he is better prepared to be a father after welcoming son Ahil three years ago.

The couple had arranged for a makeshift nursery for their second child as their Bandra home is undergoing renovations. “We’re making our home more baby-friendly and creating a bigger space for Ahil. There will be two new rooms for the kids, with separate sections for both,” informs the new father. Aayush goes on to add that Ahil was excited about the new arrival but also concerned. “Now, he’s being the protective elder brother and telling everyone that they need his permission to meet Ayat.”

Dhaval Roy (DNA; August 22, 2019)

Aayush Sharma is required to have a complete physical transformation for his turn as an army officer in his next project, Karan Butani’s Kwatha. We told you earlier that the Loveyatri actor has been undergoing bootcamp training and has hit the gym with a vengeance — indulging in rope climbing, lifting heavy weights, etc, for his role in the movie that’s based on true events. Aayush is leaving no stone unturned to get the mannerism as well as the look right.

Now, we have learnt that he has also added Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to his regime and has joined Tiger Shroff’s studio. Aayush tells us, “My character is a disciplined and fearless man who fights like a warrior. MMA requires dedication and hard work and it is helping me understand action and discipline better. I want to give my role everything that it demands.” Since the project, also starring Katrina Kaif’s sister Isabelle Kaif, requires him to perform intense stunts and routines, Tiger’s studio was the best option to hit, according to Aayush. “Tiger is one of the finest actors when it comes to action. He has always excelled in whatever forms he has attempted. So, I couldn’t think anyone better than him and his studio to train at,” Aayush states. To make the action scenes impeccable, he has been attending the sessions regularly, even after work hours. “Every day, I spend four hours on the regime — two hours of weight training and MMA each,” Aayush informs us.

BOMBAY TIMES (August 3, 2019)

After making an impressive debut with LoveYatri, Aayush Sharma will next be seen in Kwatha. He will be joined by Isabelle Kaif, who will make her Bollywood debut with the film. The movie is based on incidents revolving around the Indian Army.

To step into the shoes of an army officer, Aayush underwent intensive prep for his role, including working hard on his physique and look. Isabelle has undergone training for acting for four years at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. While details of her role are under wraps, sources reveal that the character is tailor-made for her.

Confirming the news, director Karan Lalit Butani says, “We are excited to announce Aayush Sharma and Isabelle Kaif as the leads of our film. Kwatha is a village on the border of India and Myanmar. While the film is based on true events, the plot is unconventional, and Aayush and Isabelle are perfect for a film like this.”

Producer Aditya Joshi of Cult Entertainment adds, “When we first heard Kwatha, we realised it’s a different film, which showcases the spirit of the Indian army.” The young actors are currently participating in multiple reading sessions and intensive workshops for the film, which is set in North East India.

Kwatha, produced by Sunil Jain, Omprakash Bhatt, Aditya Joshi, Alok Arbind Thakur and Sujay Shankarwar, is presented by Purple Bull Entertainment and Cult Entertainment.
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 3, 2019)

Tattle around who would feature alongside Aayush Sharma can finally be put to rest as Katrina Kaif's sister has jumped aboard Kwatha. Isabelle will star in the film alongside Sharma, who slips into the part of an Army officer. The film takes a leaf out of history books to trace the unrest at the India-Burma border.

A storyline that innately drew him in was reason behind his decision to greenlight the movie, he says. "When I heard it, I instantly connected to the story. The film is inspired by true events, and I was surprised that something like this had happened, and that most of us are unaware about it. The film has a different take on stories revolving around the Indian Army." Asserting that his rugged avatar as an officer will be far distanced from the lover boy he played in his debut film, LoveYatri (2018), Sharma adds, "I am trying to transform my body to look like an officer. Also, I will train with soldiers at base camps. I want to get the mannerism on point."

Referring to Isabelle as skilled and creative, Sharma says acting and music make up a major part of their conversations. "Ever since she joined the project, she has been working on her character. She is hard working and dedicated. Isabelle and Arpita [Khan, wife] know each other, so, I have obviously heard so much about her. We are currently discovering each other as actors."

That he has interacted with her at social events implies that there is a level of comfort that has developed between them; one that is likely to enhance their act, on screen. "Scenes turn out well if the actors are comfortable with one another. We will start shooting from September. Till then, we are occupied with workshops."

Isabelle adds, "Aayush and I had a great time shooting for the announcement, and are looking forward to discovering our characters."
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Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 3, 2019)

After making his debut in Loveyatri, Aayush Sharma will next be seen in Kwatha, to be directed by Karan Butani. The actor plays a soldier in the film, which is based on real-life events of an army officer and set in the village of Kwatha, that borders  India and Myanmar. Now, we have learnt that Katrina Kaif’s sister Isabelle Kaif has been signed opposite the actor.

Aayush had to transform his physique into that of a soldier for his role. The actor hit the gym with a vengeance, undergoing boot camp training to look the part. Says a source, “Aayush has been posting workout videos on Instagram and very few know that his new regime is for his role in the film. From rope climbing to lifting heavy weights, the actor is doing it all, not just as part of his prep for the film but also to transform his physique into that of a soldier.”

Aayush says, “Kwatha is an interesting film and I am excited to be part of this heartwarming film, which is inspired by true events. It has a different take to the Indian army and that excited me to take up this project. I look forward to working with Isabelle as she has a very positive energy and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the film.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 5, 2019)

Aayush Sharma, who made his debut with the Salman Khan production Loveyatri last year, has signed his next, Kwatha, in which he plays an army officer. The film is being directed by Karan Butani.

Karan confirmed the news, saying, “It’s a real-life story and the title Kwatha comes from a place in Manipur, one of the last villages on the border of India and Myanmar. It’s a story about the army officer and the relationship he shares with this village.”

Karan met Aayush while writing the film and believes he’s a perfect fit for the character. “We clicked in the first meeting itself. Very few films have been made on the North East and it’s time that the rest of India and the world see how beautiful it is and the stories it has to tell,” he says emotionally.

Recce is underway and the film should roll in September. Aayush meanwhile is working on getting the body language of an army man right. “We don’t know about Kwatha but we will definitely shoot in the unexplored North East,” says Karan who’s currently scouting for a leading lady.