Ishaan Khatter: Shahid bhai felt I was at the right age to do Dhadak

Dressed in a pair of black shorts and a red jacket topped with a mop of curly hair, Ishaan is like any other cute 22-year-old boy, full of beans and a tad restless. But when it comes to cinema, his knowledge belies his age. After all, he hails from a family of actors and most importantly, he has had an enviable debut with international filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds. “Working with Majidi sir has been a lifelong learning, something which I will never forget,” reiterates Ishaan. While that film won a lot of acclaim for him as an actor, Shahid Kapoor’s half-brother is now all set to foray into mainstream cinema with Dhadak, which is produced by Zee Studios and Dharma Productions and is based on the Marathi blockbuster Sairat. Here, he talks about the challenges of doing an adaptation, the comparisons and expectations...

What has been your biggest challenge while doing Dhadak?

My biggest challenge perhaps was in finding the character, being honest and consistent, as was the case with Beyond The Clouds. But this role is a complete departure from what I am as a person, even more than what Amir was (in Beyond The Clouds). Madhukar is a small-town boy who is unambitious and naive. He is happy and hasn’t seen too much in life. The only inspiration he has in life is the girl whom he falls head over heels in love with. That’s when his life takes a turn, reality hits and there’s an arc to the character where he is growing up. This is the period in his life where he matures. I wanted to be able to correctly portray all these things. Finding that sur was important.

Have you seen Sairat?

Yes, I have seen it multiple times. What happened was Dharma Productions had organised a screening of Sairat; it was the first time I was going to watch it. Around that time, Karan (Johar) was meeting me, trying to suss out if I was capable of doing a film. We became friends and when we were hanging out, he must have figured I was the right choice for the adaptation. But it was when I was on my way to the screening (of Sairat), that Shashank told me he wanted to do the film with me. I was taken by surprise! When I saw Sairat, I completely forgot what Shashank had shared with me. It’s a beautiful film that pulls you in. I was so involved that it took me a while to shake myself off from the poignant ending and process the information that Shashank wants to make the film with me. But when he told me what he had in mind and that he was setting it in Rajasthan, it made sense. I was excited and wanted to be a part of it.

Though you have done Beyond The Clouds, Dhadak will be your first commercial entertainer. Did you feel different about it?

I didn’t look at it as a commercial entertainer, I looked at it as a story. I recognised that many factors are different, the treatment, the manner in which it is presented to a larger audience, etc. I had a lot of inhibitions that I had to get past before doing this film. When we started shooting,  it was so enjoyable that I asked Shashank, ‘Are you sure you are getting what you want?’ We were experimenting and getting good footage. I had a whale of a time, it took me a while to adjust to how much fun I was having while shooting the first half, which has a slightly dreamy, fantastical feel to it. 

Weren’t you apprehensive about the film and your role being compared with the original?

I was aware of it, but that wasn’t the predominant thought. Yes, it was unexpected that a film was being made based on a movie that had just released, was under the public eye and the biggest success. I felt it’s so fresh in people’s minds that they would make comparisons. But I thought it’s an important story, which is not state specific. It can be adapted into any region and still be relevant. I felt I would interpret it in my way. When I heard the first half of the script, and the way my character was written, I realised Madhukar is different from Parshya (of Sairat). He has his own journey, history and characteristics that are different. That's because the film is inspired by Sairat, it’s not a remake but an adaptation. 

What was Shahid Kapoor's reaction when you told him about Dhadak? 

He had seen Sairat and liked it. He told me it’s a good film to do and that I was at the right age with the right dynamics to do the movie. More than that he felt I would be in good hands with Karan and Shashank empowering the film. He advised me to do my research in the language and be well-rehearsed before starting the movie. He wanted me to get that ravani and ease in the language. 

The trailer and songs, especially Zingaat, have got a mixed response, with some even trolling it. How are you coping with it?  

I know there will be comparisons, a lot of people feel strongly about Sairat and are attached to it. I understand it completely. In fact, we are also in love with that film, so we have made it. But I think they should put it in perspective. So far, what they have seen is only two-three per cent of the film, which is yet to come. I would love to know their reactions after they watch the movie. I am anticipating that people will see it as an honest film of its own, and not a gimmicky effort to recreate past glory of the movie. Dhadak has its own individuality, and a story that deserves to be told to a larger audience. 

The scene in which you are singing Kaise Bataye from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani has become a hit...

(Laughs) Yes, many people have been telling me about it. It was a fun scene, but  when I sang the song, I never thought it would catch on in such a big way!