Dhiraj Kumar: She is determined to make her mark

Suswagatam Khushamadeed director discusses how Isabelle Kaif is picking up Hindi and giving her all to her next, after her debut film’s debacle

Isabelle Kaif had to wait rather long to make her Bollywood debut with Time to Dance. The Sooraj Pancholi-led film, which was shot in 2018, dropped digitally in March this year. In 2019, it was announced that she would feature in Karan Butani’s Kwatha opposite Aayush Sharma, but there has been no update about the film’s progress. 

Determined to make her mark in Bollywood, Kaif is now banking on Suswagatam Khushamadeed that also stars Pulkit Samrat. Director Dhiraj Kumar, having shot in New Delhi and Agra earlier this year, will kick off the film’s final schedule in Mumbai later this month.

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.

Also Read: Sooraj Pancholi, Isabelle Kaif starrer Time To Dance to release on March 12

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.

Also Read: Katrina Kaif's sister Isabelle Kaif to debut in Bollywood with this film

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