# Ishaan Khatter's Bold Take: "Men Aren't Taught to Be Men—Just Not to Be Women" **Imagine growing up without a roadmap for manhood, only warnings against femininity.** That's the provocative insight from Bollywood star Ishaan Khatter, who is challenging hypermasculine stereotypes in Indian cinema.[1][4] In a candid appearance at the Yuvaa All Stars Roundtable 2025, Ishaan shared how his views on **masculinity** evolved. Raised by a single mother after his parents Rajesh Khattar and Neelima Azeem separated when he was six, he revealed: "Men are not taught to be men; they're just taught not to be women." This stems from traditional ideas defining manhood in opposition to femininity, rather than fostering emotional balance and empathy.[1][4] Ishaan credits his single-parent upbringing for shaping a nuanced worldview, emphasizing relationships between men and women as key to true masculinity.[1] His on-screen choices reflect this shift. Over eight years, with just three theatrical releases, Ishaan prioritizes authenticity and **redefining masculinity** through diverse roles that connect with all audiences.[2] He's worked with 50% female filmmakers like Mira Nair, Nupur Asthana, and Priyanka Ghose, gaining insight into the **female gaze**. "To understand a different perspective is a great strength... The job is empathy," he says, proving cinema thrives on emotional depth.[1] Beyond Bollywood, Ishaan's Hollywood stint in *The Perfect Couple* humbled him further. Without an entourage, he handled his own laundry, cooking, and commutes—contrasting India's "coddled" actor culture. This self-reliance reinforced his grounded approach: stay authentic, pursue excellence, and question entitlement.[2][3]
*Image: A moment of reflection on modern manhood (Unsplash free stock).*
Citations
1.https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/ishaan-khatter-female-gaze-breaking-hypermasculine-hero-image-masculinity-defined-fact-raised-single-mother/
2.https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ishaan-khatter-interview-in-7-years-i-ve-had-3-theatrical-releases-yet-i-ve-been-fortunate-101743588945868.html
3.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/ishaan-khatter-says-actors-are-very-coddled-in-india-reflects-on-entourage-culture-in-hollywood-i-was-doing-my-own-laundry-every-day/articleshow/126058654.cms
4.https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/bollywood/ishaan-khatter-on-redefining-masculinity-in-indian-cinema-men-are-taught-not-to-be-women-1503532149.html
5.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/ishaan-khatter-says-turning-30-brings-more-self-knowledge-you-know-yourself-better-and-you-have-more-money/articleshow/125032382.cms
6.https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/ishaan-khatter-aims-to-redefine-masculinity-onscreen-find-out-how-article-151338990
7.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/etimes/bollywood/ishaan-khatter-on-the-difference-between-working-in-bollywood-and-hollywood-human-emotion-never-changes/videoshow/105070533.cms
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