Khallas: Deadly Isha

By: Arya Aiyappan

Khallas! ...Isha's ravishing sensuous ada flickers across our minds and we are taken to the dark, murky underworld with its ominous music and boding-evil dance. Isha Koppikkar has lent a new image to the otherwise bleak image of bar dancers. Hailing from an erudite family, Isha never resorted to the oft trodden path.

Isha was born on 19 September 1976 in Mumbai. The academic family atmosphere enabled her to complete her graduation in Life Sciences from Ruia College in Bombay. During her college life she did a modeling shoot with Gautam Rajyadhaksa and went on to model for Camay, Rexona, L'Oreal, Tips&Toes, Coke, Synergy, Ponds, Deepam Sarees, and participate in several ramp shows. In the 1995 she took part in the Miss India contest and won the Miss Talent Crown.

Modelling and ramp shows enabled her to gain entry into the film world. While Isha's debut film Kaadhal Kavidai(1998) secured her the Filmfare best newcomer award in the Tamil filmworld her second movie En Swasa Katre(1998) opposite Arvind Swamy was much appreciated for her superb performance. With this footage Isha entered the Hindi film world enacting some minor roles. Her first film, Ek Tha Dil Ek Thi Dhadkan, has never seen the light of the day. In the meantime she did minor roles in Fiza, Aamdani Athani Kharcha Rupaiya and Pyar, Ishq aur Mohabbat and about ten south Indian films in Tamil and Kannada as well.

Ram Gopal Verma's Company, a turning point in her life gave her the much-needed recognition. The cameo role in the song sequence Khallas became an instantaneous hit with the entire nation shaking their legs to the tune. The nickname 'khallas girl' made her popular overnight. The 'sizzling item girl' tag seized her so soon that to break free from that typecast mould she began to portray some substantial roles in films like Dil Ka Rishta, Pinjar, D and a negative role in Qayamat: City Under Threat. With the controversial film Girlfriend revolving around lesbianism, a proscribed term in India, Isha shot to the glare of publicity again wherein she wonderfully portrayed the role of an obsessive lover to Amrita Arora.

Sanjay Gupta's Kaante, Plan and Krishna Cottage (as a ghost) were some of the other movies that have brought to focus her acting potential. Isha's recent releases Don opposite Shahrukh Khan and Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? alongside Arshad Warsi have generated noteworthy appraisals. Ram Gopal Varma's Shabri depicts her in a challenging role as a woman born to rule the underworld.

Isha, a warm and compassionate person, extremely net-savvy loves to make friends, chat, and play sports. Isha enjoys every moment of her life whether it is dancing to her heart's content, savouring her mummy's tasty dishes (biryani, butter chicken, seafood, etc), painting and making candle during idle hours. With her family as her backbone and her innate sensitivity as her strength, she is all set to scale great heights. The khallas girl has a long way ahead before she bids khallas to the world of films.

Filmography 1. Raakh (2006) (in production)
2. Shabri (2006) (filming)
3. Haseena - Smart, Sexy, Dangerous (2006) (Post-Production)
4. Gahraee (2006) (Post-Production)
5. Darling (2006) (Under Production)
6. Darna Zaroori Hai (2006)
7. Salaam E Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2006)
8. Don (2006/I) 36 China Town (2006)
9. Ek Tha Dil Ek Thi Dhadkan (2006) (Stuck/On Hold)
10. Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? (2005)
11. D (2005) .... Gunjan
12. Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005)
13. Inteqam: The Perfect Game (2004)
14. Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2004)
15. Girlfriend (2004/I)
16. Hum Tum (2004)
17. Krishna Cottage (2004)
18. Rudraksh (2004)
19. LOC: Kargil (2003)... aka L.O.C. (India: Hindi title: promotional abbreviation)
20. Darna Mana Hai (2003)
21. Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003)
22. Dil Ka Rishta (2003) ... aka Heart of Gold (International: English title)
... aka Relationships of Hearts (International: English title: informal literal title)
23. Pinjar (2003)... aka The Cage (International: English title: informal title)
24. Kaante (2002) .... Special Appearance (Song)
25. Company (2002) .... Special Appearance (Song 'Khallas!')
26. Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya (2001)
27. Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001)
28. Rahul (2001)
29. Fiza (2000)
30. En Swasa Katre (1999) (Tamil)
31. Kaadhal Kavidai (1998) (Tamil)