Ishwak Singh on A-list male actors not taking up female-led films: Every actor has the right to choose their roles
Ishwak Singh has had a mixed year until now as he started 2025 on a high with Paatal Lok season 2 co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat, but his return to the big screen, Tumko Meri Kasam, failed to resonate with the audiences. However, the actor wrapped up the shoot of his upcoming film Gandhari with actor Taapsee Pannu, and has another web series up for release, which make him hopeful about the future.
Many A-list male actors shy away from taking up female-led projects like Gandhari. With him being a part of it, ask him of his opinion and Ishwak Singh says, 'Every actor has the right to choose their roles and they can have a whole lot of reasons. To be number one on the call sheet can be for some. I don't know what those dynamics are. I am also headlining projects, so I know the difference in being number one and number two.'
The actor adds, 'Creatively, if you've got a larger arc, you get the biggest canvas and you get the opportunity to not just get more eyeballs, but also to improve and showcase your craft. Of course, it comes with other benefits of remuneration but also the risk of good and bad fingers all pointing at you.' He says that he wouldn't have said no to Gandhari, irrespective of his position: 'It's also about the director. I wanted to work with Devashish Makhija for the longest time. If Anurag Kashyap or Vidhu Vinod Chopra also call me tomorrow, I would say yes without any second guesses.'
But does the insecurity of being second to another actor hits him? 'On stage, I have seen actors with just four scenes turning out to be scene stealers. Good writing and good storytelling expands your thinking too. You think about the experience you will have and not these other factors. With this approach, I don't get trapped in that mousetrap, and then it also opens me to big makers,' he responds.
Ishwak gained widespread acclaim for his work in the 2024 release Berlin, which made rounds at international film festivals and even bagged him awards abroad. However, the film eventually skipped a theatrical release in India and the actor admits that he was disappointed by it. 'I've seen Berlin six some times on the big screen and thought it was an excellent theatrical experience. But it found its way on OTT and it really saddened me. It's not every day that you get an award, out of all the places, in LA, with legends on the jury giving you an award out of all the Asian films as the best actor. Berlin also won the best screenplay, that means it is a special film,' he says, adding, 'You develop a sentiment for the film that it will get its due and larger audience, but it wasn't meant to be. It saddens you deeply but it's not the end of the world. As my mentor says, if you can do it once, you can do it 10 times.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
What to watch on OTT: The Great Indian Kapil Show S3, We Were Liars S1
What to watch on OTT The Great Indian Kapil Show S3 with Salma Khan on it's opening episode to Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Detective Sherdil, here's a latest watchlist on OTT. The Great Indian Kapil Show S3 (Netflix) The Indian Kapil Show is returning with its third season and will have Salman Khan as a guest on its premiere episode which will air on Saturday (June 21). This season will have both Navjot Singh Sidhu and Archana Puran Singh on the couch. Detective Sherdil (Zee5) Diljit Dosanjh-starrer is scheduled to stream from June 20. The Hindi-language mystery comedy tells the tale of a unique detective tasked with solving a case that is far from ordinary. Ace (Prime Video) This Tamil-language film stars Vijay Sethupathi. The movie is a taut thriller of reinvention, deceit, and survival. It also features Yogi Babu, Rukmini Vasanth, Rajkumar, Denesh Kumar, Priscilla Nair, R.J. Ramesh and P.L. Thenappan in pivotal roles. Kabul (Lionsgate Play) This gripping drama set in Afghanistan's capital under Taliban rule. It explores the stories of survival and moral dilemmas as the Taliban brutally takes over Kabul. We Were Liars S1 (Prime Video) Based on the best-selling novel by E. Lockhart, the series is about Cadence Sinclair Eastman and her tight-knit inner circle, nicknamed the Liars, during their summer escapades on her grandfather's New England private island. 8 highest paid Hindi TV actors
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Madonna gives fans a sneak peek into her $40 million apartment and luxe wardrobe
Pop icon Madonna has yet again proven why she remains a fashion and culture icon. The 66-year-old musician offered her fans a sneak peek into her $40 million Upper East Side apartment, this time through an Instagram post featuring highlights from her designer wardrobe. Madonna's recent Instagram post celebrates her fashion influence, featuring her stylish attire and a nod to the Berlin brand Saint Sass.(Photo by Angela WEISS / AFP)(AFP) According to a report, the Material Girl singer shared a carousel of images taken in her expensive walk-in closet, giving her followers a glimpse of her eclectic and luxe fashion sense. She captioned the post, 'Life in my bathroom lately! Also. It's important to read the fine print………..IF YOU WANT IT.' Her caption was a reference to a standout pair of tights from Berlin-based label Saint Sass with a Cher quote embroidered, 'Mom, I AM a Rich Man," as reported by US Weekly. Madonna's wardrobe features Saint Sass, Aupen, and other luxury brands The $52 Saint Sass tights were paired by the pop icon with a blue T-shirt and fuzzy slippers, showcasing Madonna's signature mix of couture and casual fashion. Her $100,000 custom Aupen handbag made of crocodile leather was also on exhibit. She accessorized it with a black-and-silver corset dress, tights, and loafers to create a striking ensemble. The German fashion label responded to Madonna's shout-out; they expressed that Madonna wearing their tights was a huge milestone for the 'tiny Berlin brand'. The brand wrote, 'This will be a core memory FOREVER.' Also read: Is Madonna related to Pope Leo XIV? All about her shocking connection to pontiff About Madonna's Upper East Side home Madonna has lately been sharing glimpses of her New York home through her social media. In May, this year, she invited fashion influencer Lyas into her wardrobe for a video tour during which she spoke about the golden era of Paris fashion week in the '90s. She lamented the lack of depth and cultural immersion in modern fashion shows. According to the report, Madonna, who relocated to New York City from Bay City, Michigan, in 1978, now resides in a 13-bedroom mansion that is adorned with framed pictures of herself with former President Barack Obama, her Golden Globe Awards, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame plaque, and original artwork by Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. From fourth-floor walk-ups to fashion royalty, while Madonna's trajectory and reign are unparalleled, it is now completely evident. FAQs Q: Where does Madonna live now? A: Madonna resides in a $40 million mansion on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Q: What brand were Madonna's viral tights? A: Her 'Mom, I Am a Rich Man' tights are by Berlin-based fashion label Saint Sass. Q: How many bedrooms are in Madonna's NYC home? A: The apartment reportedly has 13 bedrooms. Q: What designer bag did Madonna show in her recent Instagram post? A: She was seen with a custom $100,000 crocodile leather bag by Aupen and a Nirvana Deluxe Noir bag from the same brand. Q: What awards and memorabilia are in Madonna's home? A: Her home features Golden Globes, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame plaque, and a framed photo with Barack Obama.
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Pink Villa
The Smile Man OTT Release: When and where to watch R Sarathkumar, George Maryan's Tamil crime mystery thriller
The Tamil mystery crime thriller The Smile Man was released theatrically on December 27, 2024. The movie made an underwhelming mark at the box office and was tagged as another usual serial-killer story made on the go. However, the film is now all set to make its way to OTT for a second chance at audience response. When and where to watch The Smile Man The Smile Man is available to watch on Aha Tamil, which has bagged the official digital streaming rights to the film. The OTT giant shared a poster of the film as the movie joins a host of other films as the newest additions for online streaming. Official trailer and plot of The Smile Man The plot of the film becomes an unusual cop story where the protagonist, a police officer, is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is tasked with solving one last case before he begins to lose all his memories. As fate would have it, the last case under his care is of a serial killer on the loose in Coimbatore, whose distinctive identity is to leave an unusual smiley face mark on the victims's faces. The investigation intensifies and becomes more complex since the officer's memories begin to give way, and he is left to listen to frequent recordings he makes of every move of his way. With time clicking fast enough, the cop is left to make a tough choice at each passing step and nab the criminal before he loses it all. Cast and crew of The Smile Man The main star cast of Smile Man includes R Sarathkumar, George Maryan, Kalaiyarasan, Kumar Natarajan, Sri Kumar, Sija Rose, Hareesh Peradi, and more. The film is written by Kamala Alchemis and is directed by the duo of filmmakers Syam and Praveen. It is produced jointly by Ka Film Company and Magnum Movies.
