Actress Isha Koppikar recently opened up about a challenging moment from her early acting career. During the filming of her Telugu debut Chandralekha with superstar Nagarjuna, she voluntarily endured repeated slaps to perfect a scene. In an interview with Hindi Rush, Isha revealed that an emotional scene wasn’t coming through convincingly, so she asked Nagarjuna to slap her for real to bring out the required intensity.
Initially, Nagarjuna was hesitant and tried to keep it light, but the scene required several retakes. Isha ended up being slapped 14 times, something she didn’t anticipate. “I just wanted it to look real,” she said, “but I walked off the set with visible marks on my face.” Despite the physical discomfort, she emphasized that it was entirely her decision, and Nagarjuna kept apologizing after each take.
Isha appreciated the professionalism on set, especially considering she was still new to the industry. She praised Nagarjuna and the team for maintaining respect throughout the shoot. The film, directed by Krishna Vamsi and a remake of a Malayalam movie, was a major opportunity for Isha, though it didn’t perform well and was considered a box office flop.
Today, Isha is known not only for her acting but also for speaking out on mental health in cinema. She encourages open dialogue and emotional growth within the industry. Reflecting on her Chandralekha experience, Isha shared that it taught her the extent of her dedication to her craft—even when the methods were extreme.
