In a heartfelt reflection on identity and national character, actor Ishaan Khatter has described himself as a product of India's celebrated pluralism. The young star, whose film Homebound is India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards, opened up about his personal journey in a recent interview.
A Personal Reflection of On-Screen Friendship
In Neeraj Ghaywan's critically acclaimed film Homebound, Ishaan plays Shoaib, a Muslim boy from a marginalized background who shares a deep bond with his Dalit Hindu friend, Chandan, portrayed by Vishal Jethwa. Interestingly, Khatter's real-life upbringing mirrors this theme of cross-cultural connection. He is the son of actors Neelima Azeem and Rajesh Khattar, a union that bridged different faiths. This makes him the half-brother of superstar Shahid Kapoor.
"For me, that’s my idea of India, actually," Ishaan told Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story. "When you’re raised in a household that is pluralistic, secular, or just open and liberal, you grow up, like I did, going to mandirs, masjids, churches, trying to imbibe the beauty of all of these religions, cultures, and faiths." He firmly believes this inherent secularism is the core strength of the nation.
Pluralism as India's Defining Strength
Drawing a parallel with global cultural hubs, Khatter elaborated on the value of diversity. He pointed out that places like New York or London thrive as melting pots, and this progressive openness is what allows societies to grow. "That allows for so much growth in society, just to be able to have different perspectives and different people bringing in different strengths," he added.
The actor expressed a sincere hope that India can preserve this intrinsic pluralistic culture. "That’s something beautiful about our country. We have this within our grain naturally. It’s not been enforced," Ishaan stated. He sees the friendship depicted in Homebound as a quiet but powerful act of resistance. "Connection is a form of resistance when systems try to push you out or into the margins," he remarked.
Beyond Religion: A Story of Shared Marginalization
While the film highlights a Hindu-Muslim friendship, Khatter emphasized that its core message runs deeper. He clarified that Homebound is ultimately a story of two marginalized boys who find empathy and understanding in each other, a connection that those without similar life obstacles might struggle to grasp. "So, I’m glad it’s adding to a conversation because that’s the only way to move forward," he said.
Proud of the film's nuanced approach, Ishaan noted that Homebound avoids taking a heavy-handed political stand or lecturing its audience. "This film is not an argument, but a conversation. I think we can all use more conversations," he explained. Summarizing his own identity shaped by this multicultural ethos, the actor affirmed, "While I may be partly-Hindu and partly-Muslim... I can vouch for the fact that I’m 'fully human'."
The film, which is based on Bashrat Peer's 2020 column in The New York Times and boasts Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese as an Executive Producer, is backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and also stars Janhvi Kapoor. As India pins its Oscar hopes on this poignant tale, Khatter's personal insights add a profound layer to its narrative of unity and resilience.
