‘The Perfect Couple’ Star Ishaan Khatter on His Mysterious Character in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller: ‘He Is an Animal That Crawls in His Own Path’

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for unraveling the intricacies of storytelling and character development, I must admit that Ishaan Khatter‘s performance in “The Perfect Couple” has left me thoroughly impressed. His portrayal of Shooter Dival, an outsider amidst Nantucket’s elite, is both captivating and intriguing, a testament to his versatility as an actor.

Indian actor Ishaan Khatter is making waves with his second significant role in an English production, mingling with Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber in Netflix’s hit thriller “The Perfect Couple.” In this series, he portrays Shooter Dival, an outsider among the elite of Nantucket, lending a fresh perspective to the captivating murder mystery that has audiences worldwide hooked.

In “The Perfect Couple,” based on Elin Hilderbrand’s popular novel, the story revolves around Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), a bride about to become part of Nantucket’s high society. Greer Garrison Winbury, the groom’s mother and a celebrated author portrayed by Nicole Kidman, arranges an extravagant wedding. However, the joyous occasion takes a sinister turn when a body is discovered on the beach, causing the luxurious event to become a breeding ground for suspicion. As the investigation progresses, secrets buried deep are unearthed, echoing the unexpected plot twists found in Winbury’s literary creations.

In this series, Khatter takes on the role of Dival, a close friend of Benji’s, who is also a schoolmate from a boarding school. Dival is depicted as if he’s part of the Winbury family, enhancing the intricate network of connections within the show. Susanne Bier, a winner of an Emmy for “The Night Manager”, is at the helm of this production, skillfully crafting a captivating storyline that blends elements of mystery and upper-class drama.

From the very beginning, Dival’s personality captivated Khatter. “When I first encountered him,” Khatter explains to EbMaster, “there was a sense of enigma surrounding the way the character was portrayed. It was quite unique and he seemed to be a creature that forged his own path autonomously.

In 2017, Ishaan Khatter first appeared on screen with the highly-regarded film “Beyond the Clouds,” which was directed by renowned Iranian director Majid Majidi. Following this, he took on leading roles in several Bollywood productions including “Dhadak” (2018) and “Khaali Peeli” (2020). His talent also earned him recognition for his portrayal as one of the main characters in Mira Nair’s BBC/Netflix series “A Suitable Boy” that aired in 2020.

Khatter expresses that playing Dival offered fresh perspectives, as he found himself unable to connect with the character on multiple fronts except perhaps emotionally. He describes Dival as a unique character due to his delicate balance between being an outsider and insider within the story’s context.

In the original version, Dival was portrayed as white. However, this change to casting Dival in international productions marks a notable move towards color-blind casting. As Khatter explains, “I think they chose to disregard ethnicity during the casting process.” Kudos to Netflix and all involved for truly embracing this approach, rather than merely using it as a superficial token gesture.

This acting technique expanded the range of roles Khatter could take on. “For me, as an actor who’s accustomed to global cinema and its diverse characters, this was particularly thrilling because it felt like a role I could fully immerse myself into, without having to struggle against the current in any way,” he expressed.

I myself encountered some tough physical hurdles during filming, grappling with an injured hip joint alongside immersing myself in a completely foreign cultural milieu. As he aptly puts it, ‘It was a physically demanding experience. Beyond that, adapting to this new culture was another challenge.’ Yet, amidst these obstacles, I found solace and strength in the camaraderie of my fellow cast and crew members. Their presence made what could have been an overwhelming situation, much more manageable. I was blessed with a fantastic group of talented individuals around me.

Spending time with his acting peers and embarking on an unforgettable excursion to Provincetown with Hewson, Dakota Fanning (accompanied by her sister Elle who was in town), Jack Reynor, Billy Howle, Sam Nivola, and their companions, aided the bonding experience.

Khatter opted to adopt a standard American accent for Dival’s character. “I felt it should be an American accent since that fits given his background of attending boarding school with Benji and considering everyone in this context is heavily American,” he shared. The actor further noted, “It represented a fresh acting challenge for me.

For Khatter, a standout moment during production was an impromptu dance scene inserted by Bier. “It caught us off guard, much like a sneak attack from Susanne,” Khatter reminisces. This unplanned sequence wasn’t initially written into the script; instead, it was shared with the cast over the holiday period. “During Christmas, over the holiday break, she emailed us all, saying ‘Merry Christmas! Here’s a dance routine we need you to perform when you return in the new year.’

The filming for the project commenced unexpectedly, leaving the cast in bewilderment since they couldn’t comprehend where this scene would fit within the series. However, this was part of Susanne’s brilliant plan. By using this tactic, she managed to create a sense of unpredictability among viewers, making them uncertain about the tone of the show, despite it being a murder mystery. In the end, we were all compelled to participate, as if we had no choice but to dance along.

At first, there was apprehension about the dance routine, but in the end, it turned into a bonding moment for everyone involved in the production. “Everyone who initially hesitated seemed to be having such a blast by the end of it,” Khatter remarks. “It was the final scene we shot together for the series, and it was an excellent way to conclude our work.” “It proved to be a wonderful farewell.

Afterward, Khatter will star in another Netflix production, the contemporary Indian romantic comedy series titled “The Royals.” In this show, he portrays the character of a charming prince opposite Bhumi Pednekar, who plays a successful entrepreneur.

2024-09-12 09:47

‘The Perfect Couple’ Star Ishaan Khatter on His Mysterious Character in Netflix’s Star-Studded Thriller: ‘He Is an Animal That Crawls in His Own Path’

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