Before relocating to Bollywood, Isha Koppikar started her acting career in Telugu cinema. She acted in films like as Don, LOC Kargil, and Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love. Isha talked candidly about a behind-the-scenes incident from her second movie Chandralekha in a recent interview with Hindi Rush, stating that Nagarjuna gave her 14 slaps during a sequence.
Isha remembered asking Nagarjuna to give her a real smack during the Chandralekha filming so she could experience rage. “Nagarjuna slapped me,” she said. I was a totally dedicated actor who wanted to act in a genuine, methodical manner. I was therefore unable to sense when he was slapping me.
I told him, “Nag, you really slapped me,” because this was my second movie. “Are you sure?” he said. No, I am unable to. “I want that feeling,” I said. Right now, I don’t feel it. He gave me a gentle slap as a result.
The performer continued by revealing that the director was still unable to convey the rage in her face, resulting in numerous retakes: “I got slapped 14 times in an attempt to look angry.” I literally had slap marks on my face by the end. “Bola sorry, bola mujhe leke baitha” (bad guy, he apologized to me). “I asked for it; why are you apologizing?” I said.
Isha made her Telugu cinematic debut as a lead actor in the film. In addition to Nagarjuna, Ramya Krishnan, Murali Mohan, Chandra Mohan, Giri Babu, and Tanikella Bharani, the comedy-drama was directed by Krishna Vamsi. It was a remake of the same-titled Malayalam movie, which Priyadarshan had initially directed.
Isha last appeared with Sivakarthikeyan and Rakul Preet Singh in the sci-fi movie Ayalaan in 2024. Sharad Kelkar, Karunakaran, Yogi Babu, David Broughton-Davies, Bhanupriya, and Bala Saravanan were also featured in the movie. Both reviewers and viewers gave it favorable reviews, and it made ₹76.5 crore globally. Isha has not yet revealed what her next endeavor would be.