Interview: MALAYALAM ACTRESS ISHA TALWAR To Be Seen Opposite Saif Ali Khan in Bollywood

Actress Isha Talwar struck gold with her debut film in the Malayalam film industry. Her movie Thattathin Marayathu established her name in the film industry and the talented actress sealed her success with many other praiseworthy performances.

Talwar is also an accomplished dancer and has undergone a rigorous dance training in the past. She credits her background in dancing to be of great help in helping her on the big screen too. The actress is now all set to make her Bollywood debut with none other than Saif Ali Khan. To be seen in a film titled Kaalakaandi, she will be seen playing a photographer in the film.

The vivacious actress shares her journey in performing arts

Early Journey:

On the threshold to choose a career path post her board exams, Isha had a eureka moment of what she really wanted to do. Isha wanted to give acting a shot. She shares, "Life took over and I forgot about it until dance happened. I was chosen for a fully funded 3 year Dance Scholarship at Terence Lewis contemporary dance company after Terence Sir spotted me in a regular class at his studio and insisted I audition. I had no idea my body had the rhythm and I could dance. Acting followed organically." This was where Isha got selected for her first television commercial for Yahoo. Gradually she went on to polish her diction and acting skills. Her preparation was peppered with many such ad campaigns. Isha shares, "Every single job came through rigorous auditions. I remember, sometimes over 1000 people showed up for television commercials. To be selected and given the opportunity, gave me a sense that I was doing something right and gave me immense clarity. An exposure and opportunity to face the camera often was a new on the Job learning experience."

She has shared screen space with Bollywood actors such as Shahrukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Boman Irani and John Abraham. She has roughly been seen in around 60 to70 ads to date. She also went on to shoot a promotional video "Doob Ja" with Hrithik Roshan for Just Dance.

Her career down South:

Isha who is a Punjabi stumbled upon the opportunity to work in a Malayalam film due to her ads. Isha's debut movie was "Thattathin Marayathu" in Malayalam in 2012 with Navin Pauly and was a success with an overwhelming response and had a run of 125 days in the cinemas. Isha went on to do a remake of the movie in Tamil as well. She bagged the best debutant and best pair awards for her debut movie. After that, there was no looking back. Isha has been a part of films like " God's Own Country", "Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde" (Telegu) and the popular "Bangalore Days" down south.

Isha is currently shooting her last schedule for her upcoming movie "Ranam - Detroit Crossing" with Prithviraj in the U.S where Isha has made a brave choice by playing a mother to a 16-year-old.

Bollywood Calling:

Isha got a call from a casting director for Kaalakandi. She initially auditioned for another role, but confirmations took too long to come. She was called for a retest, but when the casting director saw her, she changed her mind and asked her to give an impromptu audition for the part she now plays in the film opposite Saif Ali Khan as Rakhi. The finalization process again took some time. Isha was on a holiday post her dance performance stint in Edinburgh. She got a call to cut her vacation short and make it to Mumbai at the earliest. When Akshat Verma (writer/director) met her, he suggested that she should put together some new images, to capture the character and bring out her personality and that's what eventually worked in her favour.

Isha has also been seen in movies like "Humara Dil Aapke Paas Hai" as Aishwariya Rai's younger sister and as Maya in "Tubelight".

Getting into the character:

Sharing an insight, Isha mentioned she once went to the set armed with her camera before her shooting scheduled started, "I landed up on the set a couple of days before my shoot to practice with a camera. Just to get into the character as I play a photographer in the movie. Saif's staff thought I was from the press and had dropped by on set without an appointment. They asked me to leave. This gave me a sense of satisfaction, that I could justify the character I play."

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