Poet. Warrior. Oscar-bound: Ishaan Khatter hots up the Hooghly

Ishaan Khatter turned up the heat on a chilly Saturday night in Kolkata, walking the ramp as the showstopper in an Anamika Khanna show on the Hooghly, on board an industrial river vessel. The Homebound actor effortlessly stole the show in a sheer white-on-black ensemble paired with striking silver detailing around the neck and waist that, as he confessed to us, made him feel “both like a poet and a warrior.” Later in the evening, Ishaan spoke to us about his Oscar-bound film, his evolving sense of style, and what makes Kolkata a city of warmth for him. Excerpts:

‘Homebound did not disturb me, it gave me hope’For Ishaan, Homebound isn’t just another milestone – it’s deeply personal. Speaking about the film, which has been shortlisted among the 15 films in contention for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars 2026, and has already earned critical acclaim on the global festival circuit, he said, “Homebound is the film I have been most proud of,” he shared, reflecting on its Oscar nomination. “If I’m honest with you, the film did not disturb me, it made me hopeful. From the very first reading, I felt an instant connection with the story that has only grown stronger as Homebound continues to find its place in history.”

On his sense of style

Revealing that he uses style influences from the characters he has played, Ishaan said his personal style especially evolved after working in The Royals. “At that time, I was finding my own sense of style, and I brought that to the show and back. But most of the time, it’s instinctive and more of a reflection of how I am feeling. When I’m at home, I really like to be in something that’s comfortable.”

About working in The Royals and Homebound – projects that are polar opposites when it comes to privilege

Ishaan said that these projects gave him the joy of pushing himself in different directions as an actor. “I’ve always wanted to bring that kind of diversity and range to my work. And I feel fortunate I could do both in a year. Both have been very fruitful for me in different ways – Homebound has been deeply personal, and satisfying, while The Royals has been an audience favourite. I’m looking forward to doing more such work.”

‘I think of Kolkata as a cultural hub’

Kolkata, for Ishaan, is less of a destination and more of an emotion. “There is a certain warmth in this city,” he said, tracing his bond back to a visit as a 13-year-old. “I spent three weeks here with my mom; she is connected to the classical music and dance world here,” he recalled. Over the years, that connection has only deepened. “I have a lot of Bengali friends here with whom I share my love for literature, music and cinema. I think of the city as a cultural hub,” the actor added.


Taking Homebound that is so Indian to a global platform was never something the team anticipated. We didn’t expect to come this far, but it has been a beautiful journey

-Ishaan Khatter




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