Actress Isha Koppikar recently revealed a surprising incident from the sets of her 1998 film *Chandralekha*, where she asked co-star Nagarjuna to slap her repeatedly for a scene, resulting in 14 to 15 slaps and visible marks on her face.
The Quest for Authenticity
During a candid interview with Hindi Rush, Isha Koppikar opened up about her early acting days and a memorable moment with Telugu superstar Nagarjuna. She was starring in *Chandralekha*, only her second film at the time, and was deeply committed to method acting.
For a particular scene requiring intense emotion, Isha felt she wasn’t quite hitting the mark. She believed that to truly portray her character’s anger and pain, she needed to physically experience the action.
A Surprising Request on Set
Isha approached Nagarjuna and boldly asked him to genuinely slap her. Nagarjuna was hesitant, expressing discomfort with the idea. “Are you sure? No, I can’t,” he reportedly told her.
However, Isha insisted, explaining that she wanted to “feel” the moment to deliver an authentic performance. She felt that a soft slap wouldn’t convey the raw emotion required by the scene.
The Slap That Left Marks
Nagarjuna eventually complied, but initially with a soft touch. Isha, still not satisfied with the realism, encouraged him to hit harder. She recalled that the camera wasn’t capturing her desired expression, leading to multiple takes.
The pursuit of perfection continued, with Isha enduring take after take. By the time the scene was finally completed, she had been slapped a staggering 14 or 15 times. The impact was so significant that it left noticeable marks on her face.
Nagarjuna’s Apology and Isha’s Reaction
After the intense shoot, Nagarjuna was visibly apologetic, feeling bad about the visible marks on Isha’s face. He sat with her, profusely saying “sorry” for the ordeal.
Isha, however, reassured him, explaining that she had requested the repeated slaps herself. “I asked for it, why are you saying sorry?” she told him, highlighting her dedication to her craft.
- Isha Koppikar asked Nagarjuna to genuinely slap her for a scene in their 1998 film *Chandralekha*.
- She sought realism, believing physical impact would help her convey anger authentically.
- Nagarjuna slapped her 14 to 15 times, leaving visible marks on her face.
- He apologized profusely afterwards, but Isha took responsibility for the request.
Isha Koppikar has since starred in numerous films, including *Krishna Cottage*, *Pinjar*, *Kya Cool Hain Hum*, and *Don*. She was last seen in the Tamil film *Ayalaan* in 2024, continuing her long and diverse career in Indian cinema.
