Ishaan Khatter Opens Up On Entering His 30s: 'It’s Like Your 20s, But With Wisdom And Wealth'

As Ishaan Khatter rings in his 30th birthday, the actor finds himself standing at an intersection — one road leading deeper into Indian cinema, another stretching toward global horizons. In just eight

years, Khatter has managed to carve a space that’s both grounded and boundary-breaking. From his collaborations with international filmmakers to his acclaimed film Homebound—India’s official Oscar entry this year—Khatter’s journey is shaping into something larger than stardom: it’s becoming a statement on versatility, courage, and evolution.

Beyond Borders: Embracing Global Opportunities

In a recent conversation with Hindustan Times, the actor reflected on his creative journey and his desire to explore storytelling across borders. With characteristic wit, Ishaan said, “It’s always been a priority to go wherever the good work is. I’m not scared of pushing myself out of my comfort zone because it takes a lot of that, especially being an actor based here in India.”

He acknowledges that the effort to make a mark internationally comes with challenges, but the changing cultural landscape gives him hope. “The world is becoming a smaller place, and I think it’s a great time where the global spotlight is on India—even in films,” he said.

Breaking Ground in Representation

Khatter’s recent international roles in projects like Don’t Look Up and The Perfect Couple with Nicole Kidman have earned him acclaim not just for performance, but for redefining how South Asian actors are represented on screen. Reflecting on his breakthrough, he shared, “I’m very proud that I was able to break that glass ceiling with a character that was not written for an Indian.”

He added, “They had all kinds of guys auditioning for the role, and that’s what made it special. People said, ‘This is a new way of representing a South Asian male—we’ve not seen this before.’ It’s about time. I want to do parts that are just parts, not limited to a single identity. I want to show them everything else that we have beyond the one-tone ‘brown character’ stereotype.”

Staying Rooted in Home Soil

While international projects continue to call, Ishaan remains deeply connected to Indian cinema. “As far as being rooted is concerned, that’s who I am. That, to me, is home,” he said. “I’ll continue working towards finding great films here for the audience and keep surprising them as an actor.”

Turning 30, he admits, comes with its own sense of clarity and humor. “They say your 30s are like your 20s—but you know yourself better and you have more money,” he laughed. “In the first few years of your career, you’re just figuring out who you are. Doing that in front of the camera is a whole other ball game.”

For Ishaan Khatter, 30 doesn’t mark a turning point—it marks an unfolding. A phase where growth, groundedness, and global dreams coexist, much like the artist himself.