Known for his chilling portrayal as the villain in Mardaani 2, Vishal Jethwa honed his acting skills for years in television shows like Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap and Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat. His latest triumph, the film Homebound, which received a nine-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, marks a significant milestone in his career.
In this candid conversation, Vishal opens up about the four-year journey leading to Homebound’s release, his authentic bond with co-star Ishaan Khatter, his challenging shift from television to feature films, and his unwavering belief that consistent effort always outweighs the pursuit of being ‘the best.’
A Triumphant Release After Four Years
On the film’s long-awaited release and its Cannes success, Vishal shares, “I feel like I’ve received more than I could ever wish for or deserve. I’m incredibly grateful, blessed, and excited to see how people react to it. Ultimately, the audience is the truest judge of our work, and I’m eager to hear their thoughts on my performance.”
Building Authentic Chemistry with Ishaan Khatter
Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s unique approach involved asking Vishal and Ishaan to build a genuine friendship off-screen to foster natural chemistry. “Sir encouraged us to connect over our insecurities and vulnerabilities, to truly get to know each other beyond our roles,” Vishal explains. “I spent time at Ishaan’s and Janhvi’s homes, understanding their perspectives. Despite our different upbringings, we learned to respect each other’s views. Breaking that initial ice was vital and truly helped make our on-screen performances feel real.”
The Challenging Leap from Television to Cinema
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Vishal admits, “It has been a journey filled with highs and lows. During my television days, I constantly worried about not being able to do ‘film-type acting.’ I doubted if a TV actor could truly deliver a film role. However, I received immense support, workshops, and the guidance of a fantastic director. Television acting is often perceived as exaggerated, even ‘fake,’ so I was genuinely scared. Neeraj Sir emphasized that unless Ishaan and I were real friends, our on-screen chemistry, which forms the backbone of the film, wouldn’t shine through. Seeing people appreciate our friendship now feels like a huge victory.”
He adds, “I’ve always had this inner fire and determination to achieve something meaningful. My mentor, Shoaib Khan Sir, taught me to channel that energy. He always said, ‘Before becoming a good actor, become a better person and never give up.’ He’d make us read a poem daily, and I vividly recall one by Harivansh Rai Bachchan that concluded with: ‘Koshish karne waalon ki haar nahi hoti’ (those who try never fail). I’ve faced countless rejections, failures, and moments of self-doubt, but I’ve never stopped trying.”
Navigating the Pandemic
When asked about the pandemic, Vishal shares, “I spent that time at home with my family, feeling fortunate to have so much time together. We tried to stay productive. There was a scary three-day period when my mother was hospitalized, but we remained positive and kept negative thoughts at bay. I consider myself lucky that I didn’t lose anyone close during that challenging time.”
Living with the Film’s Reality
The film’s true-story basis impacted Vishal deeply. “Yes, for a few months, the shooting definitely triggered memories from that period,” he states. “However, given it was a true story, there was an inherent sense of responsibility. Being based on an article, we could connect it to real life, but I couldn’t let my personal emotions completely overshadow the performance. I strived to find a balance to do justice to my character.”
Collaborative Script Development
Vishal highlights the collaborative nature of the script. “Once the script was written, Sir (Neeraj) would sit with us, discussing scenes and tweaking it slightly every day,” he explains. “So, yes, I may have added a few small elements to what was initially written. It truly was a team effort; while I’m not the film’s writer, I was able to make minor contributions.”
The Most Challenging Scene
Surprisingly, Vishal found what he expected to be the easiest scene the most difficult. “‘Shringar Ras’ (love) and ‘Hasya Ras’ (happiness) are fundamental emotions we learn as actors,” he elaborates. “But the scene where we wait for the results, and I had to build from fear into happiness, was tough. My concern was appearing fake, perhaps because passing marks never truly held much significance for me, so I struggled to relate. Thanks to Ishaan, I managed to pull it off. That was genuinely challenging for me. In contrast, Ishaan tackled much more physically and emotionally demanding scenes, and he delivered an exceptional, applause-worthy performance.”
A Humbling Compliment
On the best compliment received, Vishal shares a moment of mixed emotions. “I got one compliment that I couldn’t quite accept,” he says. “While it felt good to hear, it also made me uncomfortable. Usually, I’d reshare film-related posts, but not this one. It said: ‘Vishal Jethwa, next Irrfan Khan.’ That’s an immense thing to say, but it scared and unsettled me. Comparing me to the legendary Irrfan Khan? I feel I have no right to that.”
Unforgettable Cannes Moments
Vishal cherishes several memories from Cannes. “Firstly, walking the red carpet was unforgettable. I felt so relaxed and confident; it was me living my dream, and I’ll treasure that moment forever. Secondly, the nine-minute standing ovation was overwhelming. Some achievements truly have to be earned, and if people who don’t speak your language can connect with your tears and laughter, that’s enormous. But the absolute highlight was taking my mom to Cannes. I felt such immense pride. Holding her hand and experiencing that with her was the very best moment of all.”