Yogesh Mishra | yogesh@bollywoodtown.in
Isha Koppikar Narang is a renowned Bollywood actress who has worked in many hit movies like- Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya, Qayamat: City Under Threat, Darna Mana Hai, Krishna Cottage, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, D, Don, Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute to Love and many more. She has a black belt in Taekwondo. She got married in 2009 with hotelier Timmy Narang and now she is the proud mother of a baby girl (Rianna). In an exclusive interview with Yogesh Mishra, she spoke about her childhood days, favourite Bollywood actors, turning points in professional life and the reason behind joining politics.
Can you define yourself in one line?
Extremely passionate and the one who never gave up. I am still alive.
How were you as a child? Can you share any of your memorable childhood incidents?
I was extremely vivacious and boisterous. I was always the cynosure of the group just like I am today. I was always the livewire, a drama queen like I am today. No wonder I am in Bollywood. I was always ready to help. I loved food and I still love it. I would meet everyone in the society and spend some time with their parents and grandparents. I still go and meet them. It was a community living. The society had 8-9 buildings and we grew up all together. In school if anyone asked I would come ahead and we would quickly enact a skit. I was always into drama, and it was great growing up. My mom would always look out for me since I was notorious and very mischievous. It was a gala time all times.
Which Bollywood movie or song touches your heart?
Zindagi mein guzar jaate hain jo makam woh phir nahin aate is what I feel is the essence of life and one of my favourites. Such a great meaning the song has. Time is a gift. Make happy memories.
What do you do when you feel low?
Very simple. I just pick up the phone and talk to mom. Or my friends. And my friends give me an honest opinion. Life seems in order with a conversation with mom.
Who is your favourite Bollywood actor and why?
It would be very difficult to pick just one. Mr. Bachchan is someone I really look upto and Hema Malini ji. I am also a huge Sridevi fan. I remember watching Chaalbaaz and wanting to become an actress ever since.
How easy or tough was it to get a ticket to Bollywood?
It wasn’t very difficult. I saw it as a plan and went ahead each day chasing it and one day it happened. But it’s different for all of us. One has to see it as a process and not lose patience. If we are passionate enough, there is nothing we can’t conquer.
What were your turning points in your professional life?
Kya kool Hain hum, Don, Ek Vivaah Aisa bhi. There are quite a few highlights in my career. I got a lot of critical acclaim for Shabri. So, I can’t pinpoint just one. My songs did really well. In Don, I shared space with Shah Rukh Khan and the party starts and ends even now with Aaj Ki Raat. The girl next door in ek vivaah, shabri the cop role and the cop Urmila Matodkar in Kya Kool Hain Hum has been well appreciated. Every character that I had done has been highlighted and appreciated in some way in my career.
Due to the corona pandemic everything was stuck. How do you utilize this lockdown period?
I took to learning and yoga. I had a great time looking into naturopathy and here I when I discovered that it’s something that I want to do for life.
You have joined BJP. What exactly inspired you to join politics?
I believe in Modiji” vision for the nation. I just needed a channelized medium to serve people. I always did extend my help. I just needed it to be a little more authoritative and accountable, I took to the party. It’s to serve people and that’s never changing.
What are your upcoming movie projects?
I am doing a webseries with RGV. It’s on the Kadappa case in south. I am playing a cop and more information should follow soon. There are a couple of other projects that I am working on. I should be able to say more in sometime.
Any message for the readers of Bollywood Town magazine?
One important message for all the readers is that believe in yourself. Whatever you do, do it with Josh and never stop believing in yourself. That will make miracles happen.
