Ishaan Khatter is earning praise for his role in The Royals. In a recent interview with Zoom, he opened up about working with Tabu in A Suitable Boy. He explained how she made him feel comfortable during intimate scenes.
According to Ishaan, “And with an actress like Tabu, honestly, it’s like, you don’t have to talk about it… I was not freaked out, absolutely not. In fact, I felt safer, because I was playing off of an actor who I knew would not only understand what I’m doing, but like, take it somewhere else…”
Strong Writing Enhanced Their Chemistry
Ishaan credited the script for the success of their on-screen chemistry. He noted that the story’s acknowledgment of the age gap between their characters made the relationship feel more authentic. This, in turn, allowed their connection to feel natural. “It just helped us build a real and honest relationship,” he added.
Intimate Scenes Were Smooth and Fun
Reflecting on the filming of the intimate scenes, Ishaan mentioned how effortless they felt. He shared that Tabu often engaged in casual conversations before the scenes began. “She would be talking about random things, like, what do you want for lunch or something… She is very naughty, she’s like a child on set,” he said. This light-hearted approach helped ease any tension.
Moreover, Ishaan explained that they didn’t need many words to get into character. “So much of what we do is, how do you make a moment dense?… And it just happened, like, seamlessly with Tabu, you know, it was just like a conversation with our eyes.”
About A Suitable Boy
The television series A Suitable Boy is based on Vikram Seth’s 1993 novel. Directed by Mira Nair, the show was adapted by Andrew Davies. It stars Tanya Maniktala, Tabu, Ishaan Khatter, and several other actors.
The story revolves around 19-year-old Lata, who struggles with her mother’s pressure to find a suitable husband. As Lata navigates tradition and personal desires, the series explores themes of love, choice, and family. It is currently streaming on Netflix.
What’s Next for Tabu and Ishaan?
Looking ahead, Tabu will appear in Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan. The film also stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal, and it will be released in theatres in 2026.
Meanwhile, Ishaan was recently seen in The Royals. Though he hasn’t announced his next project yet, his film Homebound had a successful premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film received a nine-minute standing ovation. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, Homebound also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa.
