Ishaan Khatter Explained

Ishaan Khatter
Parents:Rajesh Khattar
Neelima Azeem
Birth Date:1995 11, df=no
Birth Place:Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Yearsactive:2017–present
Occupation:Actor
Relatives:Shahid Kapoor (half-brother)

Ishaan Khatter (born 1 November 1995) is an Indian actor. The son of actors Rajesh Khattar and Neelima Azeem, he made his first screen appearance as a child in the 2005 film Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!, which starred his half-brother Shahid Kapoor.[1] [2]

Khatter had his first leading role in Majid Majidi's drama Beyond the Clouds (2017), in which his performance as a drug dealer won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. His first commercial success came with the romantic drama Dhadak (2018), and he has since starred in the British miniseries A Suitable Boy (2020).

Early life and background

Khatter is the son of actors Neelima Azeem and Rajesh Khattar. His half-brother, Shahid Kapoor, is Azeem's son from her first marriage to actor Pankaj Kapur.[3] [4] Khatter describes himself as someone who is proud of his middle class values. He explains that he grew up in a household rich in culture, cinema, and the performing arts, and that he worked towards developing himself as an artiste.[5] Khatter was educated at Jamnabai Narsee School and Billabong High International School, Juhu in Mumbai.[6] He also studied dance at Shiamak Davar's academy.[7]

After making his first screen appearance as a child in the 2005 film Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!, starring Kapoor,[1] Khatter worked as an assistant director to Abhishek Chaubey on his film Udta Punjab (2016) and Danish Renzu on the independent film Half Widow (2017).[8]

Career

Khatter's first acting role as an adult came with Beyond the Clouds (2017), directed by Majid Majidi, in which he played Amir, a drug dealer. It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2018.[9] Reviewing the film for The Hollywood Reporter, Deborah Young wrote that Khatter's "noteworthy screen charisma promises well for his future career".[10] He won the Best Actor award at the 5th International Bosphorous Film Festival and the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.[11] [12]

Khatter next played the lead role in Shashank Khaitan's romantic drama Dhadak (2018), a remake of the Marathi film Sairat (2016), co-starring newcomer Janhvi Kapoor.[13] [14] It tells the story of two young lovers in rural Rajasthan who face political opposition to their relationship due to caste discrimination. Uday Bhatia of Mint criticized Dhadak for lacking the depth of the original film, but found "a soulfulness to [Khatter] that's at odds with Hindi cinema's current penchant for bratty, hyperactive onscreen male personas".[15] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express too disliked the film, but labelled Khatter a "natural" performer and took note of his "mobile, expressive face".[16] With worldwide earnings of over, Dhadak emerged as a commercial success.[17] [18]

In 2020, Khatter starred in the British miniseries A Suitable Boy, Mira Nair's adaptation of Vikram Seth's novel of the same name, in which he was paired opposite Tabu.[19] It aired in six parts on BBC One.[20] He was drawn to the project due to its depiction of an older woman-young man romance, which he hoped would challenge social stigma of such relationships.[21] Hugo Rifkind of The Times found Khatter to be "suitably charismatic and dangerous" in his part.[22] That same year, he starred alongside Ananya Panday in the action film Khaali Peeli, which due to COVID-19 pandemic was released digitally on Zee Plex.[23]

In 2022, Khatter featured alongside Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi in the comedy horror film Phone Bhoot.[24] [25] Reviewers were generally unimpressed with the picture,[26] but Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV thought that the "charm and spunk" that Khatter brought to his comic role enabled him to "[walk] away with the film".[27] The following year, he started in a promotional short film for Apple Inc., titled Fursat, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj on an iPhone 14 Pro.[28] In the war drama Pippa, set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Khatter played the real-life character of army commander Balram Singh Mehta.[29] In preparation, he spent time with Mehta and attended military boot camp.[30] Initially scheduled for a theatrical release, it was eventually released on Amazon Prime Video after several delays.[31] Rediff.com's critic Sukanya Verma opined, "There's a hearty quality to Ishaan, but in Pippa he's trying too hard."[32]

Khatter will next feature in The Perfect Couple, a Netflix limited series based on Elin Hilderbrand's novel of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman.[33] In another Netflix series, the romance The Royals, he will star opposite Bhumi Pednekar.[34]

Media

Khatter was ranked in The Times Most Desirable Men at No. 27[35] in 2018, at No. 32[36] in 2019, at No. 25[37] in 2020.

Filmography

Films

Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitle RoleNotes
2005Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!IshaanChild artist[38]
2016Udta PunjabUnnamedAlso assistant director[39]
2017Half WidowAssistant director[40]
Beyond the CloudsAmir Ahmed[41]
2018DhadakMadhukar Bagla[42]
2020Banda Blackie[43]
2021Don't Look Up Raghav ManavalanAmerican film; cameo[44]
2022Phone Bhoot Galileo "Gullu" Parthasarthy[45]
2023FursatNishuShort film
PippaCaptain Balram Singh Mehta[46]

Television

YearTitle RoleNotes
2020A Suitable BoyMaan KapoorMiniseries[47]
2024The Perfect Couple Shooter DivalMiniseries; filming
The Royals Filming

Awards and nominations

Year AwardCategoryFilmResult
2017International Bosphorous Film FestivalBest ActorBeyond the Clouds
2018Screen AwardsBest Male DebutDhadak / Beyond the Clouds[48]
2019Zee Cine AwardsBest Male Debut[49]
Filmfare AwardsBest Male DebutBeyond the Clouds[50]
International Indian Film Academy AwardsStar Debut of the Year – MaleDhadak[51]
2023Bollywood Hungama Style IconsMost Stylish Mould Breaking Star (Male)[52]
Most Stylish Emerging Icon

Notes and References

  1. News: Dhadak: Janhvi Kapoor looks like mother Sridevi in debut film's 3 posters with Ishaan Khattar. 15 November 2017. Hindustan Times. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171115230513/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/dhadak-karan-johar-shares-poster-for-jhanvi-kapoor-ishaan-khattar-s-bollywood-debut/story-OHmGQl3NNbyyJ0fWUIidoN.html. 15 November 2017. dmy-all.
  2. News: SEE: Karan Johar unveils poster of Janhvi Kapoor's debut film Dhadak opposite Ishaan Khatter. 15 November 2017. India Today. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171115170034/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/jhanvi-kapoor-debut-ishaan-khatter-dhadak-sairat-remake/1/1090113.html. 15 November 2017. dmy-all.
  3. https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/ishan-khattar-dances-just-like-big-brother-shahid-kapoor-in-video-check-it-out/story-qE6LwbQkEoiTTemDHu8ZTP.html Ishan Khattar dances just like big brother Shahid Kapoor in video. Check it out
  4. http://www.india.com/showbiz/rajesh-khattar-reacts-to-nepotism-allegations-on-son-ishaan-khattar-in-dhadak-2649278/ Rajesh Khattar REACTS To Nepotism Allegations On Son Ishaan
  5. http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/interview-i-m-proud-of-my-middle-class-background-says-ishaan-khatter-2601754 I’m proud of my middle-class background, says Ishaan Khatter
  6. Web site: Ishaan Khatter On Privilege, Peculiar Family Dynamics And The Quest For Acting Glory. 5 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705092325/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/04/07/ishaan-khatter-on-privilege-peculiar-family-dynamics-and-the-quest-for-acting-glory_a_23404819/. 5 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Shiamak Davar proud of Dhadak star Ishaan Khattar. 4 July 2018. 5 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705092313/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood-shiamak-davar-proud-of-dhadak-star-ishaan-khattar-450997. 5 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
  8. News: Mukherjee. Shreya. What mom Neelima Azeem told Ishaan Khatter: It's good to have fire in your belly. Hindustan Times. 16 August 2018. 20 August 2020.
  9. News: 'Beyond The Clouds': London Review. 15 October 2017. 15 February 2018. Screen Daily. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180215144103/https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/beyond-the-clouds-london-review/5123286.article. 15 February 2018. dmy-all.
  10. News: 'Beyond the Clouds' ('Ansooy-e Abrha'): Film Review. 22 January 2018. 15 February 2018. The Hollywood Reporter. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207192531/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/beyond-clouds-1077106. 7 February 2018. dmy-all.
  11. News: Winners of the 64th Vimal Filmfare Awards 2019. 23 March 2019. 23 March 2019. Filmfare.
  12. News: Ishaan Khatter wins Best Actor award at Turkish film fest for debut film Beyond The Clouds. 15 May 2018. Hindustan Times. 27 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514035653/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-cinema/ishaan-khatter-wins-best-actor-award-at-turkish-film-fest-for-debut-film-beyond-the-clouds/story-yAdocS4jZTZXwHQWeRn7hO.html. 14 May 2018. live. dmy-all.
  13. News: Dhadak first look: Janhvi Kapoor has Sridevi's charm and Ishaan Khatter is Bollywood's next chocolate boy. 15 November 2017. The Indian Express. https://web.archive.org/web/20171115164533/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/karan-johar-sairat-remake-starring-janhvi-kapoor-and-ishaan-khatter-dhadak-first-look-see-photo-4938670/. 15 November 2017. live. dmy-all.
  14. News: Dhadak: Release date of Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter starrer postponed to 20 July. Firstpost. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613064045/https://www.firstpost.com/india/dhadak-release-date-of-janhvi-kapoor-ishaan-khatter-starrer-postponed-to-20-july-4311767.html. 13 June 2018. live. dmy-all.
  15. News: Bhatia. Uday. Film Review: Dhadak. 20 July 2018. 20 July 2018. Mint. https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135609/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/xVmSXZWZjfJQKXq8EmXjEO/Film-Review-Dhadak.html. 20 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
  16. News: Gupta. Shubhra. Dhadak movie review: There is no 'dhak dhak' in this Janhvi Kapoor starrer. 20 July 2018. 23 July 2018. The Indian Express. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721120448/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/dhadak-movie-review-rating-janhvi-kapoor-ishaan-khatter-5267071/. 21 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
  17. Web site: The Real Winner With Dhadak. Box Office India. 25 July 2018. 27 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725183809/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4133. 25 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
  18. News: Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Dhadak. Bollywood Hungama. 5 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802012850/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-dhadak/. 2 August 2018. live. dmy-all.
  19. News: Kotwani. Hiren. Ishaan Khatter, Tabu and Tanya Maniktala in Mira Nair's next, an adaptation of Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy. 12 August 2019. 12 August 2019. Mumbai Mirror.
  20. Web site: Cast announced for BBC One's A Suitable Boy, the first screen adaptation of Vikram Seth's classic novel. 12 August 2019. 14 August 2019. BBC.
  21. News: Ramasubramanian. Uma. Ishaan Khatter On A Suitable Boy: Can Bring A New Point Of View Through Art. 28 July 2020. 14 August 2020. Mid Day.
  22. News: Rifkind. Hugo. A Suitable Boy review — Vikram Seth's Indian epic turns more soapy and domestic on screen. 31 July 2020. 16 August 2020. The Times.
  23. Web site: Ishaan Khatter, Ananya Panday's 'Khaali Peeli' to release on VOD service 'Zee Plex' in October. 2021-04-22. The New Indian Express. 7 September 2020 .
  24. News: Khaali Peeli first look: Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter cannot take their eyes off each other. 28 August 2019. 28 August 2019. India Today.
  25. News: Ishaan Khatter opens up about his film Phone Booth with Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi; says it's an absolute blast of a script. 12 May 2020. 29 July 2020. Bollywood Hungama.
  26. Web site: Katrina Kaif's Phone Bhoot disappoints at Box Office, registers shocking figure on Day 1. Zee News. 5 November 2022.
  27. Web site: Phone Bhoot Review: Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter And Siddhant Chaturvedi's Film Is Wacky, Wild And Weird. NDTV. 4 November 2022.
  28. News: Fursat: Vishal Bhardwaj's new short film stars Ishaan Khatter and Wamiqa Gabbi, he shot it on an iPhone 14 Pro. 3 February 2022. 3 February 2022. The Indian Express.
  29. News: Ramachandran. Naman. 'A Suitable Boy' Star Ishaan Khatter Heads Cast of War Film 'Pippa'. 13 August 2020. 14 August 2020. Variety.
  30. Web site: Singh. Mohnish. 'I don't believe war is an answer, but...'. 19 November 2023. 10 November 2023. Rediff.com.
  31. News: Mitra. Shilajit. Ishaan Khatter and team on ‘Pippa’: Patriotism is not about hating somebody else. 9 November 2023. 10 November 2023. The Hindu.
  32. Web site: Verma. Sukanya. Pippa Review: More Pipsqueak. 10 November 2023. 10 November 2023. Rediff.com.
  33. News: Otterson. Joe. Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Dakota Fanning to Star in Netflix Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple. Variety. 31 March 2023. 1 April 2023.
  34. Web site: The Royals: Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khattar redefine love with their regal romance; Zeenat Aman, Milind Soman and others add classy twist . Pinkvilla . 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024.
  35. News: Meet India's most desirable dudes - Times of India ►. 2021-08-06. The Times of India. 17 May 2019 . en.
  36. Web site: Times 50 Most Desirable Men: Here are the stars who bagged the place in the coveted list. 2021-08-06. www.timesnownews.com. 22 August 2020 . en.
  37. Web site: The Times Most Desirable Man of 2020: Sushant Singh Rajput - Philosopher, dreamer, charmer - Times of India. 2021-08-06. The Times of India. en.
  38. News: Ishaan appeared first on screen in 'Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi!'. The Times of India. November 16, 2017.
  39. Web site: ICYDK: Ishaan Khatter Was An Assistant Director In This Shahid Kapoor Film . 2022-11-04 . NDTV.com. 19 September 2019 .
  40. News: Dedhia. Sonal. Ishaan Khatter: Not Dyslexic, But Often Felt Like Ishaan From Taare Zameen Par. 8 April 2018. 14 June 2018. Mid Day. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121341/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/ishaan-khatter-not-dyslexic-but-often-felt-like-ishaan-from-taare-zameen-par/19295182. 14 June 2018. live. dmy-all.
  41. Web site: Mira Rajput wishes 'chota' Ishaan Khattar for Beyond The Clouds, Shahid Kapoor smiles along. Bollywood Hungama. 20 April 2018 . April 20, 2018.
  42. News: Ishaan Khatter goes on a shopping spree in Turkey for his 'Dhadak' co-star Janhvi Kapoor. Times of India. February 5, 2018.
  43. Web site: Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday to star in Khaali Peeli. The Indian Express. 28 August 2019 . August 28, 2019.
  44. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Ishaan Khatter features in a cameo in Leonardo DiCaprio-Jennifer Lawrence starrer Don't Look Up. Bollywood Hungama. 23 December 2021 . December 23, 2021.
  45. News: Katrina Kaif, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ishaan Khatter starrer 'Phone Bhoot' shoot begins. 12 December 2020. India TV News. 13 December 2020.
  46. News: First Look At Ishaan Khatter In Indo-Pakistan War Pic 'Pippa'. 15 September 2021. Deadline.com. 15 September 2021.
  47. Web site: 2020-10-22 . Maan Kapoor is an almost kaleidoscopic character: Ishaan Khatter . 2022-11-04 . The Indian Express . en.
  48. News: Star Screen Awards 2018 complete winners list: Alia Bhatt wins Best Actress, Rajkummar Rao and Ranveer Singh are Best Actors. 17 December 2018. 25 March 2019. Hindustan Times.
  49. News: Zee Cine Awards full winners list: Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone win big. 20 March 2019. 25 March 2019. India Today.
  50. News: Ranbir, Alia win big at 64th Filmfare Awards.
  51. News: IIFA 2019: Ranveer Singh Named Best Actor, Alia Bhatt Wins Best Actress Award.
  52. News: Check out the complete list of winners of the Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards. Bollywood Hungama. en. 14 April 2023.