Bollywood actor Ishaan Khatter is gaining recognition for his latest Netflix series, The Perfect Couple, a murder mystery led by Nicole Kidman. This marks his second significant English-language role, the first being the 2020 British miniseries A Suitable Boy.
Known for selecting diverse roles to move away from the “nepo baby” label, Khatter spoke about how this experience was both unique and groundbreaking for him as a brown actor in Western media. In an interview with BBC Asia’s Haroon Rashid, Khatter also reflected on being objectified as a South Asian man in this role.
In The Perfect Couple, Khatter plays Shooter, a wealthy Indian character who is also portrayed as attractive to women—an image rarely associated with South Asian men in international cinema.
When Rashid noted that while South Asian actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone have taken on desirable roles in films like Baywatch and xXx, South Asian men are seldom presented in such a light, Khatter agreed.
Yes, I was objectified, Khatter acknowledged. It was one of the aspects that made the character intriguing and appealing to me. It also felt like a significant moment in that regard, without overstating its importance. I just thought it was a cool character, and I enjoyed playing that role. I don’t think I’ve played anything quite like this, even back home.
Khatter’s portrayal of Shooter is remarkable not just for the focus on his physical appearance but also for the depth he brought to the character. He highlighted that while the role involved objectification, it was part of a larger, more complex portrayal—something often lacking in Western media’s representation of South Asian men.
I never found myself drawn to opportunities like that. It influenced my choices. What reassured me the most was that the character didn’t feel like a token diversity role, Khatter explained. I believe they were casting broadly, and I saw a chance to dive into a three-dimensional character and play a part in a larger narrative. And what a part it was.
Khatter’s role in The Perfect Couple signifies a shift in Hollywood’s representation of South Asian men, breaking away from the traditional stereotypes or background roles they have often been limited to.
For Khatter, the opportunity in The Perfect Couple went beyond mere physical appeal. He saw it as a pivotal moment to redefine how South Asian men are represented in mainstream Western media.
