Daughter of renowned screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani and elder sister of director-actor-singer Farhan Akhtar, Zoya earned a diploma in film production from New York University.
When she was trying to find her footing in the film industry, she assisted directors like Mira Nair, Tony Gerber and Dev Benegal. It was during this time in 1997 that he met Reema Kagti, who later became his frequent collaborator.
The first meeting of both of them took place in a dramatic manner.
Zoya went to audition for a role in Kaizad Gustad's 'Bombay Boys'. Reema was the one who took the audition and Zoya told her that she didn't think she did a good job.Reema agreed and said, "I don't think you are getting work either."
Zoya eventually got to work with Reema as an assistant director in the film.
The two collaborated again as assistant directors for Farhan's directorial debut 'Dil Chahta Hai'.
Later, Zoya worked as an executive producer for 'Lakshya' and Reema was the first assistant director. And for Reema's directorial debut 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', Zoya stepped in as executive producer.Two years later, Zoya made her directorial debut with 'Luck by Chance', starring her brother in the lead role.
After a gap of two years, he delivered one of the most loved road trip films in Indian cinema, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' (2011), starring his brother Farhan, Abhay Deol and Hrithik Rochan in the lead roles.
Reema worked in the Aamir Khan-Kareena Kapoor starrer 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within', which was co-written by Zoya and Reema.
By 2015, Zoya became an established name in the Hindi film industry with films like 'Dil Dhadakne Do', which starred many Bollywood stars and revived Shefali Shah's career.
After the streaming anthology 'Lust Stories', she returned with one of her most impressive works, 'Gully Boy' (2019) starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.The film was based on the lives of Indian rappers Divine and Naezy.
Zoya cemented her position as a filmmaker with her role in the streaming horror anthology 'Ghost Stories'.
Over the years, Zoya has carved a niche for herself, and today she is known as a storyteller who delves into the subtexts of 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', the dysfunctional family in 'Dil Dhadakne Do', or the deep depths of conflict. Believes in exploring layers. Working class in 'Gully Boy'.
The filmmaker is set to have a retrospective on completing 15 years in cinema as a filmmaker. The week-long festival will showcase select films of Zoya, including 'Luck By Chance', 'Dil Dhadakne Do', 'Gully Boy' and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.Talking about the retrospective, Zoya said, “When I heard about this initiative, I got excited because my films are going to be on the big screen again. I love movies. This industry has completely won my heart, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else... it's my home."
The retrospective will be held in Mumbai from June 7 to June 14.
When she was trying to find her footing in the film industry, she assisted directors like Mira Nair, Tony Gerber and Dev Benegal. It was during this time in 1997 that he met Reema Kagti, who later became his frequent collaborator.
The first meeting of both of them took place in a dramatic manner.
Zoya went to audition for a role in Kaizad Gustad's 'Bombay Boys'. Reema was the one who took the audition and Zoya told her that she didn't think she did a good job.Reema agreed and said, "I don't think you are getting work either."
Zoya eventually got to work with Reema as an assistant director in the film.
The two collaborated again as assistant directors for Farhan's directorial debut 'Dil Chahta Hai'.
Later, Zoya worked as an executive producer for 'Lakshya' and Reema was the first assistant director. And for Reema's directorial debut 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', Zoya stepped in as executive producer.Two years later, Zoya made her directorial debut with 'Luck by Chance', starring her brother in the lead role.
After a gap of two years, he delivered one of the most loved road trip films in Indian cinema, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' (2011), starring his brother Farhan, Abhay Deol and Hrithik Rochan in the lead roles.
Reema worked in the Aamir Khan-Kareena Kapoor starrer 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within', which was co-written by Zoya and Reema.
By 2015, Zoya became an established name in the Hindi film industry with films like 'Dil Dhadakne Do', which starred many Bollywood stars and revived Shefali Shah's career.
After the streaming anthology 'Lust Stories', she returned with one of her most impressive works, 'Gully Boy' (2019) starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.The film was based on the lives of Indian rappers Divine and Naezy.
Zoya cemented her position as a filmmaker with her role in the streaming horror anthology 'Ghost Stories'.
Over the years, Zoya has carved a niche for herself, and today she is known as a storyteller who delves into the subtexts of 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', the dysfunctional family in 'Dil Dhadakne Do', or the deep depths of conflict. Believes in exploring layers. Working class in 'Gully Boy'.
The filmmaker is set to have a retrospective on completing 15 years in cinema as a filmmaker. The week-long festival will showcase select films of Zoya, including 'Luck By Chance', 'Dil Dhadakne Do', 'Gully Boy' and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.Talking about the retrospective, Zoya said, “When I heard about this initiative, I got excited because my films are going to be on the big screen again. I love movies. This industry has completely won my heart, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else... it's my home."
The retrospective will be held in Mumbai from June 7 to June 14.
