On the occasion of her birthday, actress Isha Koppikar reflects on her journey in films, motherhood, and her return to the spotlight. Known for iconic roles and unforgettable songs like **Khallas** and **Ishq Samundar**, Isha continues to evolve with changing times, embracing both OTT and regional cinema.
In an exclusive interview with *The Free Press Journal*, Isha Koppikar opens up about personal milestones, her recent work in Tamil cinema, her thoughts on fame, and the kind of roles she now seeks. As she celebrates another year, Isha shares a heartfelt message for her fans and hints at exciting new projects.
—
### Happy Birthday, Isha! How are you celebrating your special day this year?
I celebrate my birthday more or less the same way every year. I have a whole lot of friends—some from college and school and then social friends I’ve made over the years. So, I normally have two to three different gatherings on my birthday.
I have my inner circle, my parents, and Rihanna, of course. Rihanna is there in every gang, every get-together, and every celebration. This is how I celebrate my birthday every year. I also go to the mandir.
—
### Looking back, what has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I think every film in which my character has been revered, celebrated, and lived by so many people—who actually remember every dialogue and every song—is a moment for me to feel honored and humbled about my career.
I have enjoyed every bit of the journey, and I continue to.
—
### You were recently seen in the Tamil film *Ayalaan*. How was that experience?
Working in South films is always a splendid, extraordinary experience because they are so professional. Their pre-production and homework are done beautifully. They are very particular about timings and shifts.
I had a great time working with Sivakarthikeyan, Rakul Preet, and Sharad Kelkar on the sets of *Ayalaan*. It was a magnum opus. We took 100 days to shoot the film, and it took another 100 days to complete the special effects.
It was a great film, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on it.
—
### What are your thoughts on OTT platforms?
A lot of my films are playing on Zee. But having said that, yes, I am open to doing OTT content.
I love their storytelling. They experiment a lot. Their scripts are very different from the monotonous scripts we’ve seen.
New actors are born on OTT platforms. You see such great faces with immense talent.
—
### What made you take a step back from mainstream Bollywood for some time?
It was not a very intentional step back. The fact that I was married and had a child made me want to take some time off.
I didn’t want to completely stop, but I wanted to focus on my family. Being a mother is not very easy, but I was still working—doing ads and films down South.
Yes, I was not completely focused as I am today. But now, I’m back, and I’m here to stay.
—
### You spoke about a tough experience early in your career with a South choreographer. How did you overcome that?
I believe if God puts you through something, He also helps you overcome it. Every experience has been enriching for me, including the South choreographer experience.
Overcoming challenges is necessary because if you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t grow. It was good to be challenged by this choreographer because it helped me better my dancing skills.
—
### You’re known for iconic songs like *Khallas* and *Ishq Samundar*. Do you miss doing such glamorous roles?
People have really seen me in iconic song numbers and glamorous roles.
Do I miss it? Yes, to some extent. I still think every time I walk out of my house, I look glamorous. Whether people see me on Instagram or in the press, I don’t need a role for that—I think I’m just born that way.
But having said that, I’d like to do a varied range of roles, not just glamorous ones.
—
### What kind of roles are you looking forward to now?
I am looking for really substantial roles—ones with meaning and substance.
Roles that people can take home and remember. Like the kind of roles I’ve played in the past—as a ghost, a cop, or a gangster—those are the roles people remember.
Those are the kinds of roles I want to play again. Probably a warrior queen!
—
### Shah Rukh Khan once gave you some advice about fame?
Yes, the advice Shah Rukh Khan gave me has stayed with me.
We work so hard for fame, and we shouldn’t shy away from it. If fame means losing a little bit of privacy, it’s fine. Everything in life has a price.
It comes at the cost of hard work, sleepless nights, restrictions, even dietary commitments. So, when you do all of that, shying away from fame because you don’t want attention doesn’t make sense.
I think all of this is part of the journey.
—
### You’re coming up with a film titled *Rocketship*. What is it about?
*Rocketship* is a diploma students’ film shot for Whistling Woods. It’s the final presentation showcasing what students have learned over the past two years.
The film emphasizes an emotional, heartwarming mother-daughter bond. It’s designed to evoke strong feelings and is more of a personal, family-oriented film.
—
### What message would you like to share with your fans on your birthday?
For my fans, I wish nothing more than peace, happiness, and growth for all of us.
May we keep dreaming big, being kind, living with purpose, and cherishing every simple, beautiful moment.
Thank you so much for being the light, the energy, and the reason I keep going. Here’s to new chapters, fresh hopes, and many more celebrations together.
Thank you so much, my dear fans. Love you all!
—
*Happy Birthday, Isha! Wishing you continued success and happiness in all your endeavors.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/i-took-a-step-back-for-family-but-now-im-focused-and-here-to-stay-actress-isha-koppikar-exclusive