Many of us dream big in childhood, but only a few manage to achieve them. Wondering why? Well, it’s a mix of destiny and hard work, and Isha Talwar happens to be the lucky one whose stars and dedication made her live the dream of being a ‘performer’ which she consciously thought of at the age of 15. Isha is an Indian actress and model who has predominantly worked in Malayalam and Hindi cinema and was last seen in Saas, Bahu, Aur Flamingo. With a dream to play a Kathak dancer on celluloid and an intention to buy farmland for community living and learn to grow her own food, Isha is currently focusing on her acting career and feels that there is no substitute for hard work. Excerpts from an interview:
Take us back to your childhood days in Mumbai. Was glamour and entertainment always your dream career?
As far as my memory goes, my childhood was very simple and just spent playing outdoor games, climbing trees, studying, and dreaming fairy tales. I remember the first time I consciously realized I wanted to be a performer was when I was 15, and I guess that was stuck in me somewhere, which kept pushing me to be where I am today.
How did acting happen to you?
I used to work as a full-time dancer with the Terence Lewis Dance Company from 2004–2008 while I was pursuing Economics at St. Xaviers. Later, I made my way to a TV commercial for Yahoo and also did some more acting gigs, followed by dancing projects. Then I graduated and started studying acting, and I knew that this was pretty challenging and I would like to explore it, and here I am to prove myself.
You have done more than 50 commercials and a handful of films. What is more challenging, and why?
It’s around 100 and not just 50, and yes, at one point of time I was a prominent face in the world, and I loved being a part of the creative process. Every single time I was auditioned and I made it happen, it gave me a sense of happiness to make my way with merit. But I yearned for long format too, because that’s where you build characters. So definitely, the long format is more challenging and also gives you a wider scope to build an audience base that recognises your work.
You are a trained dancer, too. Did you ever think of building your career as a choreographer?
Yes, I did think of it at some point and even choreographed a few sangeet-wedding dances for big-fat Indian weddings up in the North. But soon I realized that I was much more drawn to acting than choreographing or just being a dancer, and that is when I took a U-turn and started focusing on my acting career.
You have worked in Malayalam and Hindi films too. What similarities and differences have you noticed in both industries?
Malayalam is a very open industry in terms of storytelling and is not formula-driven like today’s Hindi cinema, and I feel that is what makes it different or even ahead of its time, where experimentation takes the lead and makes the industry what it is today.
Every actor has a dream role. What is yours?
I would love to play a Kathak dancer! I hope the universe is listening and this comes true super soon!
Your Instagram bio reads, “Wondering what’s the big attraction?” Elaborate.
Well, this bio was written a few years ago by me, and it’s just a small window into a performer’s life where your heart is full of dreams and aspirations.
Your temples and parivaar highlights on Instagram speak of your belief in both. What do they both mean to you?
Temples are my source of energy. I have been to Khattu Shaam ji, Salasar Balaji, Brahma temple in Pushkar, Kholke Hanumanji, Kaale Hanuman ji, and all during the shoot of Saas, Babu, Aur Flamingo! I also visited Mahakal at Ujjain in December 2022, and the Bhasm Aarti was a darshan like never before! Visiting temples not only gives me energy but also makes me feel safe and secure in life. And I strongly believe that parivaar hai toh hum hain. There is a lot of emotional cushioning that I get from my family, and that keeps me moving in the professional world.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself doing some fabulous acting assignments. Also, I intend to buy farmland for community living and, of course, learn to grow my own food! (winks)
