Powerhouse director, writer and producer, Zoya Akhtar has from the very beginning opened doors for content that is challenging, insightful and breaks the mould. With several accolades under her belt, she continues to tell stories that excite and surprise.
By Amber Dias

A visionary filmmaker and storyteller, Zoya Akhtar is known for straying away from blockbuster formulae and crafting unique stories that enchant and entrance. In her own words, “Every time I go to make a film, that film has to excite me… and at the same time, it’s got to scare me a little bit.”

Breaking In
Daughter of lyricist Javed Akhtar and screenwriter Honey Irani, Zoya grew up surrounded by the arts and was poised to enter the Hindi film industry, but it still took her a while to find her footing and make her first film in India. Her directorial debut, ‘Luck by Chance’ (2009), set the tone for her career. Despite its modest commercial success, it established Zoya as a filmmaker to watch. Her breakthrough came with ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011), a film that resonated deeply with audiences for its fresh narrative and stunning visuals. The film solidified Zoya’s position as a leading director, marking her as a transformative figure in Bollywood.

Zoya’s influence grew with ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ (2015). Her nuanced storytelling and direction brought out stellar performances from the ensemble cast, earning her accolades. In 2019, she co-created ‘Gully Boy’, a groundbreaking film that represented India at the Oscars and won numerous awards. Her career also pulled her into the streaming space with short films as part of anthologies for Netflix’s ‘Bombay Talkies’ and ‘Lust Stories’. In 2023, she collaborated with Netflix again for
‘The Archies’.

Leading The Way
Beyond her directorial ventures, Zoya has co-founded a production company, Tiger Baby Films with Reema Kagti. The company focuses on producing content that challenges norms and explores uncharted narratives, contributing to a more inclusive and progressive cinematic landscape. Zoya is a trailblazer who champions authentic storytelling, breaking away from formulaic cinema and pushing the boundaries of traditional Bollywood. And behind all this is simply the drive to create and the fortitude to keep going, even in the face of rejection. As she said in an interview, “In my industry, you will face rejection. So you need to find ways to survive. You can cry at home, self-help. Just get up and get back on the horse.”