As a woman, I’m proud that even at 40, I have a career: Isha Koppikar

It’s exactly a year since you were here last year. Was the uncertainty over Ayalaan a concern, especially because this is supposed to be your comeback film in Tamil?
With a project as huge as these, there is always hope that it would see the light of the day. There is AR Rahman’s music, Sivakarthikeyan sir, and the production house is well-known… so, actually, the chance of this project not materialising was grim.I wouldn’t say I was disappointed (over the delay), but I believe in God’s timing, and know that whatever happens, happens for a reason. And it has happened at the right time now. 2020 is looking to be a great year for me.
You did four-five films, with popular names, and then vanished. What happened?
I really regret that. Being from Bombay, it is really difficult to come and settle here. I couldn’t do that. Also, I started getting offers in Hindi.
Was there any ‘why me’ moment when this project came to you?
Not at all. I was absolutely convinced. It’s a femme fatale role, something that I’ve always been waiting for. It is full of action, and I love the Lara Croft kind of roles. I think I have that kind of a strong image and this role falls completely in my scheme of things. I always believe that there cannot be an effective protagonist without a strong antagonist. In this, Sivakarthikeyan sir is the protagonist and I am the antagonist. For me, it is a fantastic opportunity, especially an actress gets to play such a role opposite such a huge star.
So, how is it to be back on the sets of a Tamil film again?
The response from fans and the industry people has been overwhelming. I received a lot of love even then, and that continues even now. Tamil Nadu has been very warm in welcoming me. I felt like I was back to my En Swaasa Kaatre and Kadhal Kavithai days when everybody around me would be talking in Tamil. I was just telling this to my director that while I’m very fast at learning languages, by the time I start picking up Tamil, it is time to go back home, to Bombay. And once I’m there, I have no one speaking to me in Tamil there. And the best way to pick up a language is by speaking it more than just hearing it, and who do I speak to in Tamil there? I’ve made it clear to everybody on this film’s set to speak to me in Tamil so that it’s easier for me. That said, this role doesn’t have a lot of dialogues. Eliza, my character, is an assassin, more like a machine. She doesn’t speak much, and her actions will speak louder than her words. That’s what Eliza is all about.
Would you say this film happened because of your martial arts training?
I’ve been training in martial arts for 18 years. I first learnt Taekwondo and then Hapkido (a Korean martial art). When you are a martial artiste, you automatically exude that kind of confidence. You appear a certain way that normal people do not. I carry a do-not-mess-with-me demeanour, which comes from my 18 years of training. I think I’m a fighter, mentally. Nothing comes easy in life. I don’t come from a filmi background. My parents are doctors. Martial art, to me, is a physical way of training your mind. By practising it, you learn to deal with life — the disappointments, the struggles and the challenges. This automatically reflects in your demeanour. That’s why I think I’ve been getting about half-a-dozen cop roles in the last few years. And this role is strong in its own way. It is that of an assassin, completely negative and full of action.
Was there any moment where you felt thankful for learning martial arts?
Martial arts is not just about fighting, it also trains your system. It makes you stronger. Things like running, jumping over something, being on a harness… normally, women refrain from doing these things. But they are no big deal for a martial artiste.
The film is a sci-fi, involving an alien. Are you playing that alien?
Nooooo. We have a proper alien character.
You are into politics as well. Do you think that might have an impact on your film career?
No. I am not here to make a career out of politics. I’m in it to do something that I genuinely want to do. Right now, there is no other agenda, like contesting in elections. It’s now more about helping people, women especially. This is one sphere where I feel our government is lacking.
What do you think needs to be done?
It’s not easy, but maybe we need to create small session trial courts, appoint good lawyers and have trials on a day-to-day basis when it comes to crimes on women. The punishments have to be with immediate effect. We need to get our law and order in place and ensure cases don’t drag on and on. It’s like people aren’t scared of anything these days. We are talking about a country whose holy scriptures talk about women as incarnations of Gods, and today, women are battling for their security. When we are talking about development in many spheres, I think this is the most important. Women should feel safe and secure. Otherwise, it positions the country in a very regressive way. Every woman should be educated. And every man should be taught to respect women. Unfortunately, from day one, the men are taught that women are somehow inferior, that they are meant to be indoors, that if a woman dresses in any other way, it is provocative. And the list goes on and on. We live in a country where such attitudes have been prevalent for centuries, so those have to change. And that might not happen overnight. In interior India, a girl is married off when she is 14 or 15. She is looked at as someone who is there only for procreation. But that’s not it, and we all know that. We have to teach that men and women are equal. That’s the first thing that has to happen. Even when we hurt ourselves, the first thing we say is ‘Amma’. Appa’s contributions are very important, but our instinct is to say Amma. And who is Amma? A woman, right? As a woman, I’m proud that even at 40, I have a career. I have a daughter, I’m taking care of my house, I run a catering unit, I’m into politics.
How do you manage all these roles?
It’s all about time management. It’s all about how much time you can give to each of these roles, and what is important at that particular moment. It’s open day at my daughter, Rianna’s school today, but I’m here, in Chennai. I am shooting for a film and I cannot ask them to stop the shoot for a day just for my personal reason. It is not right. So, I told my daughter’s teacher that I’d meet her when I’m finished with my schedule. You have to address the issue depending on its importance. If I had had a business meeting in Bombay that could have been pushed, I’d have attended to Rianna. It’s all about prioritising, and I think it’s possible.
So, how are you as a mom? Are you a fun mom or a strict one?
I’d say I’m both. I don’t believe in giving in easily. I’d say ‘no’ 75 per cent of the times. A child needs to understand that nothing comes easy. If you keep saying ‘yes’ to every demand of the child, by the time they grow up, it will not be easy for them to fight when facing odds.
Coming back to this film, what’s its current status?
There is one more schedule in March, and the shoot will be done. But there are so many months of post-production work to be done that it would be like making another film.
What about the team?
The team is fab. My director is very calm. I’ve never seen him get agitated or angry or shout. He is so paavam. He is like a detox therapy. Sivakarthikeyan sir is also very calm, very sweet and friendly. He knows that I love food; I’m very particular about my food, so he told me about a few places where I could get salads and stuff like that.
What about Vijay?
I don’t know how to get in touch with him. I’d love to meet him. He’s a superstar now. I know!
Do you keep track of the careers of those you work with?
Not really. I respect and love the people I work with more for who they are in real life than for their professional side. What you are as a person is what matters to me.
Do you stay in touch with people from your early days in Chennai?
I met Arvind sir the last time I was here. In fact, it was on the same day I was interviewed by Chennai Times last year. I met him in the same dress I was wearing for the photoshoot. I had called him a couple of months ago as well, but because of our schedules, we couldn’t meet then. He had told me then, ‘The next time you are here, you better tell me in advance.’ I met him and his family for tea.