Pippa star Ishaan Khatter wants to have his own identity as an artist: “I didn’t want to make decisions because others felt I should do something”

The actor was asked about working in the industry and whether has it been difficult for him to not do mainstream roles.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

November 10, 2023 - 4:01 PM IST

Actor Ishaan Khatter, whose recent release Pippa is streaming on Prime Video, recently said that he finds it a great privilege to be able to work in India and internationally. Before making his Bollywood debut with Dhadak, he made his international debut with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds. The actor, who is Shahid Kapoor’s half-brother, says that he doesn’t agree to a project due to anyone’s influence.

Pippa star Ishaan Khatter wants to have his own identity as an artist: “I didn’t want to make decisions because others felt I should do something”

In an exclusive interview with IANS, the actor was asked about working in the industry and whether has it been difficult for him to not do mainstream roles, while all his contemporaries are starring in mainstream roles. He said, “The first few years were very important for me, because it was very important for me that I have my own identity as an artist. I didn’t want to be the shadow of anyone or anything, and I didn’t want to make decisions because others felt I should do something.”

He added, “I grew up in an atmosphere where I was cultivated into the arts. I don’t want to do anything half-heartedly. You can choose to do something, but it won’t sustain, especially in a profession like this, if you don’t love it. You see what we do from the wings, and it mostly paints a pretty picture, but it takes a lot just to make one film, let alone a good film. And it zaps you when it doesn’t give you that energy back. If you don’t love this, you can’t survive.”

Ishaan Khatter is currently seen in Pippa. Based on The Burning Chaffees written by Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta and scored by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, Pippa is a heroic tank battle film that underscores the bravery of Brigadier Mehta, a veteran of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron, who, along with his siblings, fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which led to the liberation of India's neighbour Bangladesh. At the centre of the film is the amphibious war tank involved in the victory, affectionately christened “Pippa”, that like an empty ghee da dabba smoothly floats on water.

Produced by RSVP and Roy Kapur Films, Pippa stars Ishaan Khatter, Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli and Soni Razdan.