Actress Ishita Dutta Sheth has addressed speculation that her association with Ajay Devgn helped her secure film roles, saying she is comfortable with people having that perception. In an exclusive interview with News18, the actor explained that she auditioned for De De Pyaar De 2 and was selected after the makers liked her performance.
Ishita made her Bollywood debut with Drishyam in 2015, beginning a professional association with Ajay Devgn and his wife, actress Kajol. She subsequently appeared in other instalments of the Drishyam franchise and reunited with Devgn for De De Pyaar De 2.
Addressing questions about whether her connections in the industry influenced her casting, Ishita said she could not control how people interpreted her career. She explained that continuing with a film franchise was a natural progression after appearing in its first instalment.
Ishita Dutta Explains How She Landed De De Pyaar De 2
Speaking to News18, Ishita said she auditioned for De De Pyaar De 2 and was selected after the team approved her performance.
She also explained that producer Luv Ranjan had contacted her husband, actor Vatsal Sheth, while casting director Vicky Sidana, who had previously cast her in Drishyam, was involved in the later project as well.
The actor said she did not know whether a recommendation had played any part in the process. From her perspective, she received the script, auditioned and was chosen by the filmmakers.
Ishita added that she did not object to people believing her industry connections had helped her obtain roles. Her comments reflect her view that public perceptions are not always something an actor can control.
Her association with Devgn also extends beyond their professional collaborations. According to the supplied interview, Devgn, who had worked with Vatsal Sheth on Tarzan: The Wonder Car, played a role in bringing the couple together.
Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Pathak Supported Her Return After Childbirth
Beyond questions about casting, Ishita spoke about the support she received while preparing to return to work after the birth of her second child.
The actor was due to work on Drishyam 3: The Conclusion, directed by Abhishek Pathak, during a period when she was pregnant with her second baby. She recalled that Pathak contacted her about the production schedule and that she initially worried about how the pregnancy and subsequent delivery would affect her participation.
Ishita also joked about the age difference between herself and actress Shriya Saran, whose character’s daughter she plays in the Drishyam films. She said maintaining the on-screen relationship was one of her concerns because the two actors are relatively close in age.
According to Ishita, the director reassured her that the team would work around her circumstances rather than expect her to manage everything alone.
How Ishita Managed Shooting After Her Second Baby
Ishita said she resumed shooting around four months after giving birth to her daughter. She credited the production team with helping make the schedule manageable during that period.
The team offered flexibility around her availability and planned a shorter shooting schedule in Goa, according to her account. She ultimately chose not to take her daughter to Goa, preferring to avoid disrupting the family’s routine.
Instead, she travelled to Goa for short periods, completed her scenes and returned home. During filming in Mumbai, the set was close enough for her son to visit her.
She said the team was accommodating when she needed assistance, allowing her to balance professional commitments with the demands of caring for a newborn.
Ishita Dutta Says the Film Industry Is Becoming More Supportive of Mothers
Reflecting on her experience, Ishita highlighted what she sees as a more supportive approach towards new mothers in the film industry.
Flexible schedules, practical assistance and an understanding of family responsibilities can make it easier for actors to return to work after childbirth. Her experience suggests that cooperation between performers, directors and production teams can help make demanding shoots more manageable.
For working mothers, returning to a professional routine after having a child can involve physical recovery, childcare and changes to family schedules. Production flexibility can therefore make a meaningful difference.
Ishita’s comments offer a glimpse into the practical arrangements behind a film shoot and the adjustments that may be needed when an actor returns to work after maternity leave.
Ishita Dutta’s Career Beyond Drishyam
Although Ishita is widely associated with the Drishyam franchise, her career also includes television projects and other film appearances. Her work includes shows such as Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar and the film Ghamasaan, as mentioned in the supplied interview.
Her latest remarks bring attention to two aspects of her career: the public discussion surrounding professional connections in Bollywood and the challenges of balancing acting with motherhood.
Rather than dismissing speculation about industry relationships, Ishita said she was comfortable with differing opinions. At the same time, she explained that her own experience of the casting process involved auditions and the filmmakers’ approval.
Her account also underscores the importance of supportive working arrangements for actors navigating major changes in their personal lives.
