Ishwak Singh has been steadily building a reputation for choosing roles that allow him to explore different sides of his acting. After gaining widespread recognition for portraying scientist Vikram Sarabhai in the web series Rocket Boys, the actor continued to move between films and streaming projects rather than staying within one particular image.
His recent work includes projects such as Adhura, Made in Heaven Season 2, Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan and the recently released film Gandhari. The Taapsee Pannu-led project gave Singh another opportunity to step into a different kind of character.
In a recent conversation with Zoom TV, Ishwak spoke about his approach to selecting films, his association with writer-producer Kanika Dhillon and his views on the way commercial success is measured in the Hindi film industry. One of the most interesting revelations from the conversation was that he agreed to work on Gandhari without reading the entire script.
Ishwak Singh Trusted Kanika Dhillon’s Vision
Ishwak Singh revealed that his decision to join Gandhari was largely based on the confidence he had in Kanika Dhillon and the idea she presented to him.
According to the actor, he did not need to go through the complete screenplay before saying yes. After Dhillon explained the subject and the story to him, Singh immediately felt comfortable taking up the project.
What makes the revelation particularly interesting is that he followed a similar approach with another upcoming project associated with Dhillon. Singh said that he agreed to that film as well without reading the script first.
For the actor, the trust between an artist and a strong writer can play an important role when deciding whether to take up a project. His comments also highlight the importance he places on the strength of the material rather than simply looking at the scale or commercial potential of a film.
Why Good Writing Matters to Ishwak
The Rocket Boys actor also spoke about the importance of writers in the filmmaking process. In his view, strong writing is one of the key elements required for an actor to deliver a memorable performance.
Singh believes that actors need well-developed characters and strong material if they are expected to bring something new to the screen. Without good writing, he suggested, it becomes difficult for performers to create something distinctive.
This approach appears to have influenced the kind of roles he has chosen throughout his career. Rather than repeating the character that first brought him widespread recognition, Singh has continued experimenting with different genres and personalities.
His filmography includes projects that vary considerably in tone, allowing him to avoid being identified solely with his performance as Vikram Sarabhai.
Gandhari Gave Ishwak Another Different Role
In Gandhari, Ishwak Singh appears alongside Taapsee Pannu in a story that takes the actor into a different dramatic space. The film was released in September 2026 and is among his latest projects. His role as Gokul has also been discussed in interviews surrounding the film.
The project gave Singh another opportunity to move away from the kind of period-science and biographical material associated with Rocket Boys. He has previously spoken about finding the role challenging and uncomfortable at certain points because of the nature of the character.
For Singh, this willingness to take on unfamiliar roles appears to be an important part of his career strategy.
Ishwak Singh on the Pressure of Box Office Numbers
The actor also addressed one of the most frequently discussed subjects in the film industry — box-office collections.
According to Singh, there has been a growing tendency to judge films primarily through their financial numbers. The conversation around whether a movie has crossed ₹100 crore, ₹200 crore or another milestone can sometimes overshadow other aspects of filmmaking.
Singh questioned the idea of treating box-office figures as the only measurement of a film's success. He pointed out that the final collection of a movie is not something an actor, director or even producer can completely control.
For an actor, he believes the responsibility is much more straightforward: perform the role with honesty and dedication.
No One Can Predict a Film’s Final Collection
Ishwak also made an important observation about the unpredictable nature of the theatrical business.
He noted that filmmakers cannot know in advance exactly how much money a movie will make. If predicting box-office performance were that simple, the industry would have a much higher success rate.
His comments underline the uncertainty involved in theatrical releases. Audience response can depend on numerous factors, including the content, timing, competition, word of mouth and several other elements that are difficult to predict before release.
For Singh, therefore, the focus should remain on the work itself rather than attempting to control an outcome that ultimately depends on audiences.
A Career Built Around Different Characters
Since Rocket Boys, Ishwak Singh has consciously avoided limiting himself to one type of role. His portrayal of Vikram Sarabhai brought him widespread attention, but he subsequently moved towards projects that allowed him to explore different characters.
The actor's filmography includes Aligarh, Tamasha, Veere Di Wedding, Malaal, Berlin and Tumko Meri Kasam, along with several streaming projects. His recent appearance in Gandhari adds another contrasting performance to that list.
This variety also explains why Singh places such importance on finding stories that he has not attempted before. For him, taking up a new character can be an opportunity to discover something different as an actor.
Kanika Dhillon Collaboration Could Continue
Singh's decision to sign more than one project associated with Kanika Dhillon without first reading the scripts suggests that their professional collaboration has developed around mutual trust.
Dhillon has worked as a writer and producer across several Hindi films and has been associated with projects featuring strong female-led narratives. Her recent work includes Gandhari, starring Taapsee Pannu, while her filmography also includes titles such as Haseen Dillruba and Rashmi Rocket.
Singh's comments indicate that the creative relationship between the actor and writer-producer could extend beyond their current collaboration.
Ishwak Singh’s Focus Remains on the Work
At a time when box-office milestones frequently dominate conversations around Bollywood releases, Ishwak Singh's comments offer a different perspective on an actor's role within the larger filmmaking process.
His focus remains on choosing interesting characters, working with writers he trusts and giving his best to the material. The actor's decision to sign Gandhari without reading the complete script demonstrates the level of confidence he had in Kanika Dhillon's storytelling.
With Gandhari now adding another distinctive role to his filmography, Singh appears to be continuing on the same path — choosing projects that allow him to experiment rather than simply repeating what has already worked for him.
For the actor, the numbers that appear after a film's release may generate headlines, but the creative process that leads to those films remains at the heart of his approach to cinema.
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