Eight hours or eternity? Ishaan Khatter joins Deepika in exposing Bollywood’s work culture
Reflecting on his own experience, the 'Homebound' actor admitted that he has worked on sets where “the protocol of time” was pushed to the limit.
In a film world where heroes often enter in slow motion, break doors, and speak only in punchlines, Ishaan Khatter quietly walks in and asks a different question: ‘What if strength looked softer?’ While many young actors chase loud masculinity, Ishaan seems comfortable exploring silence, sensitivity, empathy.
And he is not afraid to say why.
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At a time when Indian cinema is being questioned for its hypermasculine heroes, Ishaan’s choices stand out. His characters cry, listen, love, and sometimes feel lost. Recently the actor opened up about masculinity, his upbringing, and how working with women filmmakers has shaped not just his career but his thinking.
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“Men are taught not to be women”
Speaking at the Yuvaa All Stars Roundtable 2025, Ishaan shared a thought that instantly caught attention. According to him, society does not really teach men how to be men. Instead, it teaches them what ‘not’ to be.
“Men are not taught to be men; they’re just taught not to be women,” he said.
For Ishaan, masculinity is not about domination or toughness. His idea of being a man comes from relationships, especially the relationship between men and women. This understanding, he said, is deeply personal.
Ishaan was raised by his mother, actor Neelima Azim, after his parents separated when he was just six years old. Growing up with a single mother shaped how he sees strength, care, and emotional balance.
“Masculinity, to me, has been defined by the fact that I have been raised by a single mother,” he added.
Learning through the female gaze
One of the most interesting parts of Ishaan’s journey is who he has worked with. Since his debut in 2017, a large part of his career has been guided by women storytellers.
He has been directed by filmmakers like Mira Nair, Nupur Asthana, and Priyanka Ghose, names known for strong storytelling and layered characters. Ishaan believes this experience has helped him understand the “female gaze”, something rarely discussed openly by male actors.
Because he has been seen through that gaze, he says he has learned to understand it, at least a little. Nearly half of his eight-year career, he pointed out, has involved working with female creators.
“To understand a different perspective is a great strength,” he said adding that cinema is exactly about that; seeing life through another’s eyes. For him, acting is not about power but empathy.
What’s next for Ishaan Khatter?
Ishaan was last seen in Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’, a critically praised film that has been selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars this year.
He also starred in the Netflix series ‘The Royals’.
Also Read: Ishaan Khatter on ‘The Royals’ and lessons from legendary Zeenat Aman
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