Isha Koppikar Looks Back At 24 Years Of 'Khallas' And The Song That Made Her Timeless: It Changed Things

Isha Koppikar is revisiting the impact of "Khallas" as the song from Company completes 24 years. The 2002 track from Ram Gopal Varma's film still defines a phase of Isha Koppikar's career. For many viewers, the image of Isha Koppikar dancing to "Khallas" remains closely linked with early-2000s Hindi cinema.

The track did more than top charts. "Khallas" moved into daily life, from college corridors and house parties to music channels. It even became the first song of its time to have its own standalone billboard campaign. Listeners were humming the tune everywhere, often unaware of how widely it had travelled.

'Khallas' cultural legacy and Isha Koppikar's turning point

Isha Koppikar sees that wave as a personal milestone rather than a passing trend. The performance in "Khallas" gave Isha Koppikar a strong presence in an already crowded industry. It separated Isha Koppikar from earlier work and placed the actor at the centre of a cultural flashpoint that still feels present.

"Khallas wasn't just a song I performed. It was my turning point. It changed the trajectory of my life in ways I could never have imagined. It gave me an identity, a recognition, and a space in the industry that was entirely my own. It showed me the power of owning my individuality and expressing it without fear," she added.

'Khallas' cultural legacy and Ram Gopal Varma's vision

Isha Koppikar links much of that success to Ram Gopal Varma's approach on Company. The director, known for an unconventional style, resisted copying existing formulas. Instead, Ram Gopal Varma trusted instinct and let "Khallas" stand apart from typical film songs of that period, both in sound and visual treatment.

"None of this would have been possible without Ram Gopal Varma, the maverick of cinema. His vision wasn't about following trends. He was the one who created them. He saw something different, believed in it, and gave it the space to exist unapologetically. 'Khallas' is a reflection of that fearless storytelling," Isha said.

'Khallas' cultural legacy and how the song was created

On set, though, Isha Koppikar did not expect the number to gain such scale. The team treated "Khallas" like another item in a larger film. The choreography and styling felt edgy and rough, not polished in the usual glamorous way, which, in hindsight, may have made the track stand out.

"When we were shooting 'Khallas', it honestly didn't feel like we were creating something huge. It was just different, raw, a little edgy, not trying too hard to be perfect. And maybe that's what worked. Once it released, it just took off in a way none of us expected. People connected with it instantly. I remember suddenly being recognised everywhere, and it all happened so fast… it changed things for me overnight," Isha recalled.

'Khallas' cultural legacy and its life beyond 2002

The song emerged before hashtags, streaming algorithms and choreographed viral challenges. There was no social media ecosystem pushing "Khallas" into view. Its reach depended on word of mouth, television play and public spaces. Two decades later, a younger audience continues to find the track through clips and nostalgia-led playlists.

"Khallas was a song that wasn't just heard, it was felt, recited, and sung at the top of people's voices wherever it was played. I believe it still is. And once you become a part of a moment like that, you don't fade. You become timeless. So yes, I didn't just do 'Khallas', the song became me," she concluded.

The journey of "Khallas" now sits between memory and fresh discovery. For those who watched Company in 2002, it recalls a specific period in Hindi cinema. For newer listeners, it functions as a track that still sounds current. For Isha Koppikar, it remains the performance that defined a lasting screen identity.