The language of cinema is universal. While various Bollywood actors have dabbled in international films, Ishaan Khatter’s promising Hollywood debut in Nicole Kidman-starrer The Perfect Couple came as a pleasant surprise. Be it Beyond the Clouds, Dhadak or A Suitable Boy — Ishaan has pushed boundaries from the word go. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actor reveals what prompted him to head West, carving his own identity, rapport with big brother Shahid Kapoor and how he’s in a phase of self-discovery. Excerpts...

I wanted it to be distinct and clutter-breaking. My debut film Beyond The Clouds was largely an Indian crew. Of course, Majid Majidi brought his vision to the film that was very different and distinct. And even Mira Nair’s, The Suitable Boy, was shot in India, and these were Indian stories. The Perfect Couple is a very American story and it’s very different to be part of an entirely American shoot. I saw the opportunity when I read the part. I couldn’t draw a reference for it. It was a completely different experience from anything I’ve done before.

It was something that I partly worked on with Susanne Bier (director). The way I read the role it didn’t make sense to me that I would be the only character speaking with a slightly different accent. So, I said, maybe we should go with a standard American accent. And she said, go ahead. I was given that freedom. The lack of stereotyping was interesting.

I don’t know if I can speak for an industry at large. The part I was offered is proof enough that times are changing, and I think it’s a milestone in that sense. I do know that they were open to casting pretty much across the board, irrespective of ethnicity. To me, that’s the bigger step, that they’re looking at parts not locked in with race or ethnicity but what an actor can bring to a character.

I would be lying if I said that I’m not in awe of these people. I love their work. I’ve grown up watching them and I’m lucky. Who gets to work with Tabu as a romantic pair or with Nicole Kidman this early in their career? I just say thank you God, and do the work. When good things happen to me, I don’t know if it’s my defence mechanism, but I just treat them like it’s just another part, just another day. Also, I’ve never been in a hurry. My priority was always to become capable before doing anything.

There are more diverse opportunities for young actors in the West, especially when you’re in the main lead space. There are fewer choices of roles here. The leading man in Bollywood is seen in a certain light. It’s only when you start looking a little older, there’s a wider blanket of roles at your disposal. I can’t complain because I’ve had some wonderful opportunities despite that. But, yes, that’s how it is. If you see young actors here, their careers start shooting in their late 20s or 30s. My brother (Shahid Kapoor) and I both started young. We were 21. So, we’ve seen that lack of opportunity when you are raring to go. Also, when you grow up on a certain kind of cinema, it shapes your sensibilities. You want to push yourself as an actor early. It was a good time for me to try something new. I’m still in a phase of self-discovery. I’m in a place today where I know myself better, so I back myself more. I don’t want to be here for a hot moment and then be forgotten. I am here for the long haul.

I kind of take it in my stride. I think of it in a positive way because I know it'll work out for me in the long run (smiles). Like baby face is not such a bad thing. It's a blessing in disguise, yeah. The audience has been fairly kind to me, but I have miles to go before I can sleep. I have my eyes on the long road ahead and I want to reach out to more people.

I was 21, on the stage of my first film’s trailer launch when I was asked about this. Someone had asked me if there was competition back home? Perhaps, this is the public perception. But to me, I see it as a blessing that I have an elder brother that I share a common passion with, which is cinema. I can learn from him, we share notes. And the thing is, I know that I’m the younger brother, and that’s not something that I need to fight. My journey is my journey. When you have a certain confidence in yourself, it comes from the fact that I know who I am. I am not a shadow of anyone. I’m not trying to imitate anybody. I’m not trying to ride on someone else’s success. This is who I am. This is what I want to do and I’m happy with that.

It’s hard to place Ishaan Khatter. He makes his acting debut with a Majid Majidi film, and follows it up with Karan Johar’s production Dhadak (2018). Mira Nair’s drama A Suitable Boy (2020) shares space with horror comedy Phone Bhoot (2022) in his filmography. But then, the ability to fit into different worlds is one of the hallmarks of an actor. Khatter’s next is The Perfect Couple, an international series headlined by Nicole Kidman. So, is it a deliberate move to take on diverse projects?

“I don’t think it’s by design. I’m trying to discover myself as a performer and make the most of the opportunities I have. Sometimes, the diversity of work surprises me too,” he smiles.

The actor has recently returned from the US after wrapping up the shoot of the Netflix limited series, which also stars Liev Schreiber and Dakota Fanning. Working with accomplished Hollywood actors is a feat he is proud of, but Khatter notes that the experience isn’t too different from that on a Bollywood set.

“Nicole is an actor par excellence and an icon. It’s a pleasure to share the screen with her. There’s so much to learn from her. But in a broader sense, what we artistes do is the same. There isn’t a major difference between a local and international crew. We’re all trying to tell stories in an engaging way.”

This is Khatter’s second international series after A Suitable Boy. Asked if he is attracted to long-format storytelling, the actor says, “Some stories can be told in a more efficient way through long-format. The trick is to recognise which material is better suited to the cinematic format, and which belongs to long-format.”

Up next for him is director Raja Krishna Menon’s Pippa. The drama is a retelling of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, with Khatter stepping into the shoes of Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta. He terms it an “incredible experience” to be part of a chapter of Indian history.

“I was fortunate to interact with Brigadier Balram Mehta sir for the role. I’ll be happy to share more when we get closer to release.”

Having done films and web projects in India, actor Ishaan Khatter is now set to explore a new avenue — Hollywood. He marks his international OTT debut with The Perfect Couple, an official adaptation of writer Elin Hilderbrand’s eponymous novel. Khatter will be seen alongside actors Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber and Dakota Fanning in the series. “I am grateful for the opportunity. It’s certainly a unique time for artistic and cultural cross-pollination with the world becoming a smaller place,” says the 27-year-old.

Sharing how he bagged the project, Khatter, who started his acting career with Beyond The Clouds (2018), adds, “It was certainly not up for grabs. There was a process. I had to audition for it.”

The actor feels that his character in the series will help wipe off stereotypes about Indians in the West. He explains, “Layered representation is important to reduce stereotyping, but that’s not the responsibility of the writer or creator alone. It’s also on the actor who chooses to represent the written material.”

Khatter, who has projects such as Dhadak (2018) and A Suitable Boy (2020) to his credit, is excited about featuring alongside big names from Hollywood. “It’s always wonderful to work with an exciting cast. It keeps me on my toes. The show has a lot of talented and experienced artistes, on and off the camera,” he ends.

After a cameo appearance in the international film, Don’t Look Up, Ishaan Khatter has now bagged a pivotal character in a series, which is an adaptation of the novel The Perfect Couple, by Elin Hilderbrand. The international series will star Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.

Informs a source associated with the project, “Ishaan had been in talks with the producers for a while now and was confirmed for the part last month. It is an important role in a series starring the likes of Nichole and Liev. The project will go on floors next week.”

The series will also feature Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Dakota Fanning, Meghann Fahy and Isabelle Adjani.

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