Most of us know Ishaan Khatter as an actor who debuted alongside Janhvi Kapoor in Karan Johar’s Dhadak. But interestingly, Dhadak wasn’t actually his debut film. Ishaan made his debut on the big screen with the acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds in 2017. Although not mainstream cinema, the critically acclaimed film premiered at film festivals before making it to the 70 mm screens in the country. Majid Majidi is a legendary Iranian director and producer with multiple international awards on his shelf and even an Academy Awards nomination. 

Majid Majidi didn’t let anyone talk to Ishaan

When mid-day sat down with Ishaan for a chat, we had to ask him about his experience working with a filmmaker of Majidi’s stature. Ishaan shares, “His sets used to be disciplined, there used to be silence on set, which you know is a luxury. For example, one day, he told the crew, ‘for this scene, I don't want anyone to talk to Ishaan all day on set’.”

“And that's what I needed to do to prepare. He never told me this, I never asked (why), but I was just in a corner that day. I was in my zone. I had my headphones on and it was one of the most intense scenes I had in the film. If you've seen it, it's that scene with the birds and when I have a complete meltdown.”