28 June, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
New Age Queen Isha Koppikar has enjoyed a fascinating journey in Indian cinema, carving a niche for herself with striking roles spanning across various genres.
From light-hearted blockbusters to intense crime dramas, her characters often broke the mould of conventional female leads and won her applause. Here are five films that highlighted her range and left a lasting impression on audiences.
Kyaa Kool Hai Hum
In this cult adult comedy, Isha plays Sub Inspector Urmila Martodkar, yes you read that right. Sharp, stylish, and refreshingly unfiltered, Isha showcased impeccable comic timing and her bold portrayal of a cop brought a new energy to the female cop trope in Bollywood. It remains one of her most commercially successful and award-nominated roles.
Don
As Anita, Koppikar adds depth to the glamorous and gritty world of Don, starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan. She held her own ground and shone bright from amongst the star-studded ensemble cast, with confidence and screen presence. Her performance brought sophistication and charisma to the crime thriller.
Ek Vivaah… Aisa Bhi
A classic Rajshri Productions creation, this film cast Isha as Chandni, a small-town girl who puts her dreams on hold and rises above her aspirations to support her family. Her graceful portrayal struck a chord with audiences, showcasing her ability to carry emotionally rich and traditional roles with poise. The film’s values-driven theme and her performance got her rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Shabri
This underappreciated Ram Gopal Varma gem saw Isha in her most transformative role yet, as a hardened female gangster in Mumbai’s crime underworld.
Stripped of glamour, Isha’s make-up was so on-point and she looked so unrecognisable, that she was even denied entry into the sets of the movie by the security present there. She delivered a raw, powerful performance that critics called one of her career bests.
Krishna Cottage
In this supernatural thriller, Isha plays Disha, a mysterious woman who is later revealed to be a love-sick and obsessed ghost, entangled in a haunting love story. The film blends romance and horror, and her intense screen presence elevated the eerie atmosphere. Krishna Cottage has since gained cult status among early 2000s horror fans, largely thanks to her nuanced, ghostly performance.
Whether playing a no-nonsense cop, a vengeful ghost, or a layered anti-hero, Isha Koppikar brought something unique to each role. Her film choices reflected an appetite for experimentation, something not many leading ladies dared. These five films remind us that while Isha’s screen appearances may have become selective, but her impact remains unforgettable.
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