A wave of pride and excitement has swept over actor Ishaan Khatter as his film 'Homebound' has been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. This prestigious recognition represents a significant career milestone for the young actor, highlighting how his artistic endeavours are gaining acclaim beyond the shores of Indian cinema.
From Oscar Joy to Cultural Reflections
While celebrating this remarkable achievement, Khatter has also opened up about the contrasting work environments he has experienced, moving from Bollywood to Hollywood. His recent stint on the international project 'The Perfect Couple', filmed in Cape Cod, offered a starkly different experience from what he was accustomed to in India. The actor described an environment stripped of the usual layers of comfort and support.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Khatter revealed the self-reliance required on the Hollywood set. "They gave me a house and a car and then asked me to drive myself to set," he shared. For over three months, he managed without any personal assistants or team members, handling everything from daily laundry and cooking to learning his lines during his commute. "I didn't know a single person there; I didn't have a single person from my team," he added, noting the initial challenge of the absence of familiar faces.
Questioning the 'Coddled' Culture in Indian Film Industry
This immersive, independent experience led Ishaan to reflect critically on the working norms for actors in India. He candidly stated, "We are very coddled, especially as actors." While acknowledging that access to domestic help in India is often driven by cultural and employment factors, Khatter emphasised the importance of introspection. He believes the core issue lies in not questioning where comfort ends and unnecessary entitlement begins.
"Where is the limit? That should be an individual question. It can't be the expectation generally," he asserted. For him, the distinction must be made between genuine necessity for a role and superfluous spending that only adds pressure to a production.
Minimalism for 'Homebound' vs. Essential Support for 'The Royals'
Khatter illustrated his point by comparing two of his projects. While working on Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound', he embraced the director's minimalist vision. "Neeraj was very specific. We had one hair and makeup team for all the actors because there was a set look. I was very happy to let go of my people," he explained.
Conversely, for a project like 'The Royals', where his role demanded a specific, high-level skill, he saw the clear value of additional support. "For 'The Royals', they needed me to look like a prodigy horse rider in two months. So they had to get me a coach," he said. In such cases, Khatter feels the support is directly tied to skill-building and authentically contributes to the performance, justifying the resources.
The Oscar shortlist for 'Homebound' at the 98th Academy Awards not only marks a high point in Ishaan Khatter's filmography but also frames his thoughtful observations on the evolving dynamics of filmmaking cultures across the globe.
