Suswagatam Khushamadeed director discusses how Isabelle Kaif is picking up Hindi and giving her all to her next, after her debut film’s debacle
Katrina with sister Isabelle Kaif
Director Dhiraj Kumar with Isabelle Kaif and Pulkit Samrat on the set of Suswagatam Khushaamadeed
The filmmaker reveals that he wrote the romantic comedy with Samrat in mind. “Pulkit came on board first. Isabelle was roped in later through a common contact. We had heard about her, and thought she was apt for the role. She plays a woman from Agra who has to hide her identity when she meets Pulkit’s character in Delhi.”
To be Bollywood-ready, Kaif has learnt Hindi and brushes up on it with a tutor on the set. “She has been working hard to get the nuances right, and can speak the language,” says Kumar, hopeful that his leading lady will dub for the film.
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The director reveals that Kaif’s star sister Katrina is guiding her to find her footing in the industry. “During the shoot, Isabelle would often excitedly tell Katrina on the phone what she shot and how she went about the scene. Her sister would encourage her to do better. She is learning the ropes.” Kumar adds that being Katrina’s sister, Kaif has to battle high expectations and “is determined to make her mark”.
Interestingly, Salman Khan—the lead couple’s mentor—had unveiled the movie’s first look in January this year. Kumar, who earlier dabbled in Bhojpuri films and finally, made his Hindi cinema debut with Kaashi: In Search of Ganga (2018), is grateful that the superstar is “supportive” of his project.
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