ZOYA AKHTAR

 

Zoya Akhtar began her cinematic journey after honing her skills with renowned directors such as Mira Nair, Tony Gerber, and Dev Benegal. Akhtar’s directorial debut, "Luck by Chance" (2009), set the stage for a career marked by creativity, sensitivity, and a truly unique perspective to life.

Akhtar develops the narratives of her films in a manner that resonate across generations. "Dil Dhadakne Do" (2015) showcased her ability to delve into the dynamics of a privileged but dysfunctional family. In "Gully Boy" (2019) she truly solidified her reputation by showcasing a gripping story of a young rapper's journey that highlighted multiple socially relevant issues. Srecognizes the importance of on-screen representation and strives for diversity in her work.

In an industry dominated by men, Akhtar's success underscores her prowess as a director who challenges norms. Her work, while often set among the lives of rich people, delve into universal themes like gender disparity, friendship, and self-discovery, reflecting contemporary India's intricacies. Akhtar is definitely a trailblazer, reshaping Bollywood with her distinctive, personal narrative style and commitment to inclusivity and depiction of diversity. 

Directorial insight: "On-screen representation is important because, in our country at least, films are the biggest and possibly the only form of pop-culture that we have. It’s very important that we see ourselves represented in our popular culture; to know that we exist in this context, and that we exist in this society. Only when we see ourselves represented, do we feel normalised and a part of the fabric"