Actor Tillotama Shome didn't just talk about her role in Netflix's upcoming legal thriller Ikka at the film's trailer launch in Mumbai—she also offered a refreshingly honest take on typecasting, respect in the workplace and the unspoken double standards that continue to exist in the film industry. Sharing the stage with Sunny Deol, Dia Mirza, director Siddharth P. Malhotra and the rest of the cast, the National Award-winning actor explained why Ikka stood out from the many scripts she receives.
Speaking about what convinced her to join the project, Tillotama admitted that the opportunity to play a lawyer was something she simply couldn't ignore because it was territory she had never explored before. She also pointed out how actors are often repeatedly cast in similar roles based on their most recent performances, suggesting that filmmakers are reluctant to take creative risks.
"Well, I've never played a lawyer before; as an actor, you're always hungry to do things you haven't done previously. You tend to get cast based on your most recent work because people are often reluctant to take a risk—they prefer to just 'milk the cow' until there's nothing left to give. I didn't want to get bored doing something I love so much, so that was a major reason for saying yes."
Her comments struck a chord as they subtly highlighted the industry's tendency to box actors into familiar roles instead of trusting them with fresh opportunities. Rather than accepting repetitive characters, Tillotama said she actively looks for projects that challenge her as an artist.
The actor went on to reveal that professional satisfaction today means far more than simply signing another film. She shared that she has reached a stage in life where the people she collaborates with matter just as much as the script itself.
"The second reason was that, at my age, I want to genuinely like the people I work with. If I don't like them, I can simply stay home; I have a beautiful home and a wonderful family, and I don't need to leave them to work with people I don't respect."
Tillotama reserved special praise for director Siddharth P. Malhotra, saying his approach immediately made her feel valued despite the film featuring established stars like Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna. She revealed that although they had never met before Ikka, his respectful attitude from their very first conversation played a significant role in her decision.
"I truly respect Siddharth, our director—and I say that even though we didn't know each other at all; we aren't friends and had never met before. Yet, right from the very first call, I could feel the care and respect he showed. I was very grateful for that. There was no condescension, even though the cast included established stars like Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, and myself. I wasn't cast just to be—you know—some sort of decoration, the kind of middle-class ornamental role I usually get; instead, it was a role portraying a strong woman. That was another powerful reason to do it."
Her remarks also shed light on another issue she has often faced in the industry—being offered ornamental or stereotypical characters instead of layered, meaningful women. In Ikka, she found exactly the opposite, with the role of Madhura Banerjee, a determined public prosecutor who stands against her own mentor in court.
Ending on a lighter note, Tillotama revealed that her husband also played a part in her decision to take on a more mainstream entertainer. She joked that he had advised her to stop taking herself so seriously and venture into commercial cinema.
"I think the third reason was that I hadn't done a film with this kind of cinematic grammar and pacing before. Also, my husband had told me—'If you want this marriage to last, please stop taking yourself so seriously and do some comedy.' So, for his sake, I wanted to do something comedic—though not necessarily this specific film; I was looking for action, thrillers, high-octane stuff—and Ikka satisfied that need. So, for the sake of my marriage—that was another reason. And, of course, the wonderful actors involved and my loyalty to Netflix—in many ways, they bet on me when others didn't. Yes, thank you—thank you very much."
Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and written by Althea Kaushal, Ikka stars Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Dia Mirza and Tillotama Shome. The legal thriller follows principled lawyer Arjun Mehra, who is forced to defend a murder suspect he once prosecuted, setting the stage for an intense courtroom battle where truth, loyalty and ethics collide. The film premieres on Netflix on July 10, 2026.