Ishaan Khatter: ‘I like myself more now and am proud of the man in the mirror`

Moments before his coronation, the truth about Prince Aviraaj Singh’s illegitimacy is revealed. He walks away, leaving his relationship with Sophia (Bhumi Pednekar) in the lurch. That’s how the first season of The Royals ended, leaving the audience asking for more. Now, Ishaan Khatter has dived into the second season of the romantic drama.

Khatter is pleasantly surprised by the response to his portrayal of the bare-chested, horse-riding, charming prince, aka Fizzy. “It was the first time I got to explore that side of me. It was flattering, funny, and sweet. I was quite surprised with the kind of love and emphatic energy for Fizzy,” shares the actor, who received pages of notes and letters from new and old fans.

Majid Majidi, Neeraj Ghaywan and Mira Nair

Having started his journey with Beyond the Clouds (2017), followed by Dhadak (2018), A Suitable Boy (2020), and Homebound, Khatter says each project has taught him more about himself. “I had very strong ideas of what I wanted to be as an actor and who I wanted to be an artiste, but now I am beginning to know myself. I like myself more now and am proud of the man in the mirror.”

Pleased with his growth, he credits his directors for shaping him. Neeraj Ghaywan, he says taught him “deep involvement”, while Mira Nair has “a way of seeding a thought and letting the actors do their job.” Majid Majidi, however, laid the foundation of an actor in him. “There is soul and humanity in Neeraj’s films as he deeply cares about what he does. That is precious and I learnt that deep involvement from him. Mira Nair is mercurial and has an incredible understanding of the world she is portraying. [She taught me] to take the character’s reins in my hands. The first thing Majid sir told me was, ‘I know that you want to be a great actor but first become a good human being, and everything will come from that.’ It’s my guru mantra,” he says.

With Homebound representing India at the Oscars, Khatter is busy considering new offers. While tight-lipped about his next move, he says, “I want to tell stories that mean something to me. I want to balance between commercial and alternate cinema.”