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{{short description|Indian film director (born 1972)}}
{{short description|Indian filmmaker (born 1972)}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2025}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Zoya Akhtar
| name              = Zoya Akhtar
| image              =Zoya Akhtar gracing ‘Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards 2016’ (cropped).jpg
| image              = Zoya Akhtar at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Akhtar at [[Filmfare]] Glamour & Style Awards in 2016
| caption            = Akhtar at the [[2024 Toronto International Film Festival|2024 TIFF Film Festival]]
| birth_name        =  
| birth_name        =  
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1972|10|14}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1972|10|14|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_place        = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| death_date        =  
| death_date        =  
| death_place        =  
| death_place        =  
| alma_mater        = {{Ubl
| alma_mater        = {{Ubl
   | [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]]
   | [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xavier's College]]
   | [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts|NYU (Tisch)]]
   | [[New York University Tisch School of the Arts|Tisch School of the Arts]]
   }}
   }}
| occupation        = {{Hlist|Director|screenwriter}}
| occupation        = {{Hlist|Filmmaker|screenwriter}}
| notable works      = {{Ubl
| yearsactive        = 1996–present
  | ''[[Luck By Chance]]''
| organisation      = [[Tiger Baby Films]]
  | ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]''
| parents            = {{ubl|[[Javed Akhtar]]|[[Honey Irani]]}}
  | ''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]''
| relatives          = [[List of Hindi film clans#Akhtar–Azmi– family|Akhtar family]]
  | ''[[Lust Stories]]''
  | ''[[Gully Boy]]''
  | ''[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]]''
  }}
| yearsactive        = 1999—present
| father            = [[Javed Akhtar]]
| mother            = [[Honey Irani]]
| family            = [[Farhan Akhtar]] (brother)
| relatives          = See [[List of Hindi film clans#Akhtar–Azmi– family|Akhtar family]]
}}
}}


'''Zoya Akhtar''' (born 14 October 1972) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. After completing a diploma in filmmaking from [[New York University|NYU]], she assisted directors such as [[Mira Nair]], [[Tony Gerber]] and [[Dev Benegal]], before becoming a writer and director herself. Akhtar is the recipient of several accolades, including 6 [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|access-date=2020-08-31|website=filmfare.com|language=en}}</ref>
'''Zoya Akhtar''' (born 14 October 1972) is an Indian director, producer and screenwriter who works in [[Hindi]] films and series. Born to [[Javed Akhtar]] and [[Honey Irani]], she completed a diploma in filmmaking from [[New York University|NYU]] and assisted directors [[Mira Nair]], [[Tony Gerber]] and [[Dev Benegal]], before becoming a writer and director. She is the recipient of several accolades, including four [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|access-date=2020-08-31|website=filmfare.com|language=en}}</ref> Akhtar and frequent collaborator [[Reema Kagti]] founded the production company [[Tiger Baby Films]] in 2015.


She has directed movies such as ''[[Luck by Chance]]'' (2009), ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' (2011) and ''Sheila Ki Jawani'', a segment of [[Bombay Talkies (film)|''Bombay Talkies'']] (2013). She has co-written ''[[Talaash: The Answer Lies Within|Talaash]]'' (2012) alongside [[Reema Kagti]]. She then went on to direct ''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]'' (2015) and ''[[Gully Boy]]'' (2019).
Akhtar made her directorial debut with the drama ''[[Luck by Chance]]'' (2009), winning the [[Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director]]. She achieved her breakthrough with the comedy-drama ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' (2011), which won her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director]]. She has since directed the comedy-drama ''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]'' (2015), segments in the anthology films ''[[Lust Stories]]'' (2018) and [[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|''Ghost Stories'']] (2020), and the musical drama ''[[Gully Boy]]'' (2019), which won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Director. She has also worked on the streaming drama series [[Made in Heaven (TV series)|''Made in Heaven'']] (2019–2023) and the crime thriller series ''[[Dahaad]]'' (2023).


==Personal life==
==Early life==
Zoya Akhtar was born to poet, lyricist and screenwriter [[Javed Akhtar]] and screenwriter [[Honey Irani]]. Akhtar's stepmother is actress [[Shabana Azmi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-stepmothers-who-share-a-beautiful-bond-with-their-step-kids/Shabana-Azmi-Farhan-and-Zoya-Akhtar/photostory/62706902.cms|title=Shabana Azmi- Farhan and Zoya Akhtar - Bollywood stepmothers who share a beautiful bond with their step kids|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> Her younger brother, [[Farhan Akhtar]], is an actor and director. She attended Maneckji Cooper and earned her [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xavier's College]], both from Mumbai. Later, she joined the [[New York University Film School|New York University Tisch School]] of the Arts to learn film production.
Akhtar was born to poet, lyricist and screenwriter [[Javed Akhtar]] and screenwriter [[Honey Irani]]. Akhtar's stepmother is actress [[Shabana Azmi]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/bollywood-stepmothers-who-share-a-beautiful-bond-with-their-step-kids/Shabana-Azmi-Farhan-and-Zoya-Akhtar/photostory/62706902.cms|title=Shabana Azmi- Farhan and Zoya Akhtar - Bollywood stepmothers who share a beautiful bond with their step kids|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref>  


Her great-grandfather, [[Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi]], a scholar of Islamic studies and theology, edited the first [[Diwan (poetry)|diwan]] of [[Mirza Ghalib]] on his request and later became a figure during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] in his native [[Khairabad, Sitapur|Khairabad]].<ref name=sat>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1796&lpg=PA1796&dq=Jan+Nissar+Akhtar&source=bl&ots=OA1Y0Z_s-S&sig=v0NwgvZRqTLlF9GD5gGQflhsV1I&hl=en&ei=wtjVSvahGoTQtgPs38jlAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBTgo#v=onepage&q=&f=false Jan Nisar Akhtar Biography] ''The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (D -J). by Amaresh Datta. [[Sahitya Akademi]], 2006. {{ISBN|81-260-1194-7}}. ''p. 1796-97''.</ref>
Her great-grandfather, [[Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi]], a scholar of Islamic studies and theology, edited the first [[Diwan (poetry)|diwan]] of [[Mirza Ghalib]] on his request and later became a figure during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] in his native [[Khairabad, Sitapur|Khairabad]].<ref name=sat>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Jan+Nissar+Akhtar&pg=PA1796 Jan Nisar Akhtar Biography] ''The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (D -J)''. by Amaresh Datta. [[Sahitya Akademi]], 2006. {{ISBN|81-260-1194-7}}. ''p. 1796-97''.</ref>


She is great-granddaughter of Urdu poet [[Muztar Khairabadi]] and granddaughter of poet [[Jan Nisar Akhtar]].
Akhtar grew up in an atheist environment and along with her brother Farhan and father Javed, and does not believe in any religion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4 |title=10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists &#124; Entertainment &#124; iDiva.com &#124; Page 4 |date=3 June 2013 |publisher=iDiva.com |access-date=16 December 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203026/http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/celebs/celeb-themes/celebs-who-are-atheist/Farhan-Akhtar/articleshow/45068648.cms|title=Celebs who are atheist|publisher=[[Times of India]]|access-date=16 September 2016}}</ref>


Akhtar grew up in an agnostic environment and along with her brother [[Farhan Akhtar|Farhan]] and father [[Javed Akhtar]], and does not believe in any religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-self-proclaimed-celebrity-atheists/21972/4 |title=10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists &#124; Entertainment &#124; iDiva.com &#124; Page 4 |publisher=iDiva.com |access-date=16 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/celebs/celeb-themes/celebs-who-are-atheist/Farhan-Akhtar/articleshow/45068648.cms|title=Celebs who are atheist|publisher=[[Times of India]]|access-date=16 September 2016}}</ref>
==Career==


==Career==
=== Early work (1996–2007) ===
Akhtar started her career as the co-director of a music video called ''Price of Bullets'' for a rock band called Pentagram. She has worked as a [[casting director]] for films including ''[[Split Wide Open]]'' (1999) and ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'' (2001), and as an [[assistant director]] for her brother [[Farhan Akhtar]]'s films ''Dil Chahta Hai a''nd ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' (2004). She then worked as an [[executive producer]] for her longtime associate and friend [[Reema Kagti]]'s ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]'' (2007), also produced by [[Excel Entertainment]].<ref name=excelzoya>{{cite web|url=http://www.excelmovies.com/|title=Zoya Akhtar|publisher=[[Excel Entertainment]]}}</ref>
Akhtar started her career as the co-director of a music video called ''Price of Bullets'' for a rock band called [[Pentagram (Indian band)|Pentagram]]. She has worked as a [[casting director]] for films including the drama ''[[Split Wide Open]]'' (1999) and the ensemble coming-of-age comedy-drama ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'' (2001), and as an [[assistant director]] for her brother [[Farhan Akhtar]]'s films ''Dil Chahta Hai'' and the coming-of-age war drama ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' (2004). She then worked as an [[executive producer]] for her longtime friend and associate [[Reema Kagti]]'s comedy-drama ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]'' (2007), also produced by [[Excel Entertainment]].<ref name="excelzoya">{{cite web|url=http://www.excelmovies.com/|title=Zoya Akhtar|publisher=[[Excel Entertainment]]}}</ref>
 
[[File:Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar.jpg|thumb|Akhtar ''(right)'' with [[Reema Kagti]]]]
 
=== Directorial debut, breakthrough and critical acclaim (2009–2013) ===
Akhtar made her directorial debut with the drama ''[[Luck by Chance|Luck By Chance]]'' (2009), starring her brother Farhan and [[Konkona Sen Sharma]] in lead roles. The film tells the story of a struggling actor who breaks into the industry. It opened to widespread critical acclaim, with high praise directed towards its novel concept, story, screenplay and dialogues; however, the film had an underwhelming performance at the box-office.<ref name="lbc">{{Cite news|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?239688|title=Zoya Akhtar|date=9 February 2009|access-date=28 March 2010|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|title=Box office Top 5|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/532.html|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=2 July 2011|archive-date=22 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322041900/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/532.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Luck By Chance - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=786 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> It earned Akhtar the inaugural [[Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director]], tying for the award with [[Ayan Mukerji]] for ''[[Wake Up Sid]]''.
 
In 2011, she achieved her breakthrough with the coming-of-age comedy-drama ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'', which stars an [[ensemble cast]] of [[Hrithik Roshan]], [[Farhan Akhtar]], [[Abhay Deol]], [[Katrina Kaif]] and [[Kalki Koechlin]] in lead roles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Cast and Crew details|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/cast/14207/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207024553/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/cast/14207/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 December 2009|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref> The film opened to widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its novel concept, storyline and setting. It emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹1.53 billion (US$19 million) worldwide, ranking as the [[List of Hindi films of 2011|fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=33 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> ''Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'' earned Akhtar her first [[Filmfare Award for Best Director]].
 
The following year, she and Kagti co-wrote the psychological crime thriller ''[[Talaash: The Answer Lies Within]]'' (2012), starring an ensemble cast of [[Aamir Khan]], [[Kareena Kapoor Khan]], [[Rani Mukerji]], [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]], [[Rajkummar Rao]] and [[Shernaz Patel]] in lead roles. The film received highly positive reviews upon release and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Talaash - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=1197 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=boxofficeindia.com}}</ref>
 
In 2013, Akhtar teamed up with [[Anurag Kashyap]], [[Dibakar Banerjee]] and [[Karan Johar]] for the anthology film ''[[Bombay Talkies (film)|Bombay Talkies]]''. It was made as a celebration of 100 years of [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bollywood directors join hands to pay homage to Indian cinema. She teamed up again with the same directorial squad, which consisted of Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, and Karan Johar to a direct Lust Stories, a Netflix Original Indian anthology film, consisting of four short film segments|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Bollywood-directors-join-hands-to-pay-homage-to-Indian-cinema/articleshow/13020569.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622040500/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-07/news-interviews/31599052_1_cinema-karan-johar-indian-films|url-status=live|archive-date=22 June 2012|date=7 May 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dubey|first=Bharati|title=Film industry to mark Phalke centenary|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Film-industry-to-mark-Phalke-centenary/articleshow/18165999.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419031257/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-25/news-interviews/36527754_1_film-industry-dadasaheb-phalke-indian-cinema|url-status=live|archive-date=19 April 2013|date=25 January 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> Her segment titled ''Sheila Ki Jawaani'', told the story of a 12-year-old child who idolised Hindi film actress Katrina Kaif and aspires to be a Bollywood dancer, earned her positive reviews from critics. However, the film emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bombay Talkies - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=884 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref>
 
=== Continued success and career expansion (2015–present) ===
[[File:Zoya Akhtar gracing ‘Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards 2016’ (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Akhtar at [[Filmfare]] Glamour & Style Awards in 2016]]
Akhtar next directed the family comedy-drama ''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]'' (2015), which told the story of a dysfunctional Punjabi family. The film stars an [[ensemble cast]], with [[Anil Kapoor]] as an egotistical industrialist, [[Shefali Shah]] as his bitter socialite-wife, and [[Priyanka Chopra]] and [[Ranveer Singh]] as their children. The film also features [[Anushka Sharma]] and [[Farhan Akhtar]] as love interests of Singh and Chopra.<ref>{{cite news|title='Dil Dhadakne Do' - Movie Review|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/dil-dhadakne-do---movie-review/16265195|access-date=4 June 2015|issue=Mid-day.com|publisher=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Zoya Akhtar's film is about a dysfunctional Punjabi family|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Zoya-Akhtars-film-is-about-a-dysfunctional-Punjabi-family/articleshow/30851535.cms|access-date=23 February 2014|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=23 February 2014}}</ref> The film opened to positive reviews from critics, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹1.44 billion (US$18 million) worldwide, ranking as the [[List of Hindi films of 2015|ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dil Dhadakne Do - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2879 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref>


[[File:Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar.jpg|thumb|Zoya ''(right)'' with [[Reema Kagti]]]]
The same year, Akhtar, along with [[Reema Kagti]], founded [[Tiger Baby Films]], an Indian film production company.  
Akhtar made her directorial debut with ''[[Luck By Chance]]'' (2009), starring her brother [[Farhan Akhtar]] and [[Konkona Sen Sharma]]. It tells the story of a struggling actor who breaks into the industry. The film was well received by critics, despite underperforming at the box office.<ref name="lbc">{{Cite news|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?239688|title=Zoya Akhtar|date=9 February 2009|access-date=28 March 2010|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|title=Box office Top 5|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/532.html|publisher=Bollywood hungama|access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref>


In 2011, she directed ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'', which starred an [[ensemble cast]] of [[Hrithik Roshan]], [[Farhan Akhtar]], [[Abhay Deol]], [[Katrina Kaif]] and [[Kalki Koechlin]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Cast and Crew details|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/cast/14207/index.html|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref> It turned out to be a huge commercial success at the box-office and won her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director]].
In 2018, she again teamed up with Kashyap, Banerjee and Johar for the anthology film ''[[Lust Stories]]'', the sequel to ''Bombay Talkies'', which premiered on [[Netflix]] in June 2018. Her segment in the film, about the sexual relationship between a bachelor ([[Neil Bhoopalam]]) and his maid ([[Bhumi Pednekar]]), received positive reviews.


In 2013, Akhtar teamed up with [[Anurag Kashyap]], [[Dibakar Banerjee]] and [[Karan Johar]] for ''[[Bombay Talkies (film)|Bombay Talkies]]''. It was made as a celebration of 100 years of [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bollywood directors join hands to pay homage to Indian cinema. She teamed up again with the same directorial squad, consisting of Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, and Karan Johar to a direct Lust Stories, a Netflix Original Indian anthology film, consisting of four short film segments|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-07/news-interviews/31599052_1_cinema-karan-johar-indian-films|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622040500/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-07/news-interviews/31599052_1_cinema-karan-johar-indian-films|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2012|date=7 May 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dubey|first=Bharati|title=Film industry to mark Phalke centenary|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-25/news-interviews/36527754_1_film-industry-dadasaheb-phalke-indian-cinema|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419031257/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-25/news-interviews/36527754_1_film-industry-dadasaheb-phalke-indian-cinema|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2013|date=25 January 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> She then went on to direct ''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]'' (2015), a film based on a dysfunctional Punjabi family starring [[Anil Kapoor]] as an egotistical industrialist, [[Shefali Shah]] as his bitter socialite-wife, and [[Priyanka Chopra]] and [[Ranveer Singh]] as their children. The film also featured [[Anushka Sharma]] and [[Farhan Akhtar]] as love interests for [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|title='Dil Dhadakne Do' - Movie Review|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/dil-dhadakne-do---movie-review/16265195|access-date=4 June 2015|issue=Mid-day.com|publisher=[[Mid-Day]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Zoya Akhtar's film is about a dysfunctional Punjabi family|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Zoya-Akhtars-film-is-about-a-dysfunctional-Punjabi-family/articleshow/30851535.cms|access-date=23 February 2014|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|date=23 February 2014}}</ref>
In 2019, Akhtar directed the musical drama ''[[Gully Boy]]'' starring [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Alia Bhatt]] in lead roles.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/230617/ranveer-singh-to-turn-composer-in-gully-boyz.html|title = Ranveer Singh to turn composer for Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boyz|date = 23 June 2017|work = Deccan Chronicle|access-date = 30 June 2017}}</ref> The film was loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rappers [[Naezy]] and [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://desihiphop.com/ranveer-singh-met-underground-rappers-gully-boy-workshop/181553|title=Ranveer Singh Met Underground Rappers- Ranveer Singh Gully Boy Movie|date=2017-12-20|work=Desi Hip Hop|access-date=2018-01-11|language=en-US|archive-date=11 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165859/http://desihiphop.com/ranveer-singh-met-underground-rappers-gully-boy-workshop/181553|url-status=dead}}</ref> It received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹2.38 billion (US$33.8 million) worldwide, ranking as the [[List of Hindi films of 2019|ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gully Boy - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=5602 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> At the [[65th Filmfare Awards]], ''Gully Boy'' won a record 13 [[Filmfare Awards]], the most awards for a single film in a year, breaking the previous record of ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'' (2005) with 11 wins. The film won Akhtar (along with Kagti) the [[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay]], in addition to her second Filmfare Award for Best Director, thus making her the only female director to win the award twice.


In 2018, she then again teamed up with [[Anurag Kashyap]], [[Dibakar Banerjee]] and [[Karan Johar]] for ''[[Lust Stories]]'', which premiered on [[Netflix]] in June 2018.
The same year, Akhtar and Kagti created the romantic comedy-drama web series [[Made in Heaven (TV series)|''Made in Heaven'']], alongside [[Nitya Mehra|Nithya Mehra]] and [[Alankrita Shrivastava|Alankrita Srivastava]] which told the story of two wedding planners in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web |author=NAIRITA MUKHERJEE |date=18 Jun 2017 |title=After Inside Edge, is Zoya Akhtar's show next on Amazon Prime? |url=http://t2online.com/entertainment/after-inside-edge-is-zoya-akhtar-s-show-next-on-amazon-prime/cid/1.76961 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003084529/http://t2online.com/entertainment/after-inside-edge-is-zoya-akhtar-s-show-next-on-amazon-prime/cid/1.76961 |archive-date=3 October 2017 |access-date=17 Jul 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 Dec 2016 |title=Farhan Akhtar might have a cameo in Zoya Akhtar's next |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/farhan-akhtar-might-have-a-cameo-in-zoya-akhtars-next-4427953/ |access-date=18 Jul 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> The series, which stars an ensemble cast of [[Arjun Mathur]], [[Sobhita Dhulipala]], [[Jim Sarbh]], [[Shashank Arora]], [[Kalki Koechlin]] and [[Shivani Raghuvanshi]] in lead roles, was produced by [[Tiger Baby Films]] and Excel Entertainment, and premiered on [[Amazon Prime Video]]. The first season of the series released in 2019, followed by the second season in 2023, after several delays due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]. The series received widespread critical acclaim, with high praise for its dark take on the Big Fat Indian Wedding.  


After ''Dil Dhadakne Do'', Akhtar directed ''[[Gully Boy]]'' starring [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Alia Bhatt]].,<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/230617/ranveer-singh-to-turn-composer-in-gully-boyz.html|title = Ranveer Singh to turn composer for Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boyz|date = 23 June 2017|work = Deccan Chronicle|access-date = 30 June 2017}}</ref> loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rapper [[Naezy]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://desihiphop.com/ranveer-singh-met-underground-rappers-gully-boy-workshop/181553|title=Ranveer Singh Met Underground Rappers- Ranveer Singh Gully Boy Movie|date=2017-12-20|work=Desi Hip Hop|access-date=2018-01-11|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Gully Boy'' won a second Best Director award at Filmfare. She thus became the only female director to win the award twice.
She was also invited to be a member of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.femina.in/achievers/zoya-akhtar-invited-to-be-member-of-oscar-academy-127967.html|title=Zoya Akhtar invited to be a member of Oscar Academy|website=femina.in|language=en|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref>


Zoya and Kagti also worked on a story for a web series produced by [[Tiger Baby Films]] and Excel Entertainment for [[Amazon Prime]] called ''[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]],'' a story about two wedding planners in [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://t2online.com/entertainment/after-inside-edge-is-zoya-akhtar-s-show-next-on-amazon-prime/cid/1.76961|title=After Inside Edge, is Zoya Akhtar's show next on Amazon Prime?|author=NAIRITA MUKHERJEE|date=18 Jun 2017|access-date=17 Jul 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/farhan-akhtar-might-have-a-cameo-in-zoya-akhtars-next-4427953/|title=Farhan Akhtar might have a cameo in Zoya Akhtar's next|access-date=18 Jul 2017| date= 15 Dec 2016}}</ref>
In 2020, she reteamed with Kashyap, Banerjee and Johar for the [[Horror film|horror]] [[anthology film]] [[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|''Ghost Stories'']], the sequel to ''Lust Stories''.<ref name="niex:ghost">{{Cite news |date=15 April 2019 |title=Karan Johar, Zoya, Dibakar and Anurag reunite for Netflix's 'Ghost Stories' |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2019/apr/15/karan-johar-zoya-dibakar-and-anurag-reunite-for-netflixs-ghost-stories-1964670.html |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> ''Ghost Stories'' premiered on Netflix on 1 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/netflixs-ghost-stories-to-premier-on-january-1-2020-2403863.html|title=Netflix's Ghost Stories to Premier on January 1, 2020|website=News18|date=28 November 2019 |access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref> Her segment in the film told the story of an ailing bedridden elderly lady ([[Surekha Sikri]]) and her nurse ([[Janhvi Kapoor]]). Unlike its predecessors, it received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics upon release.


She has also been invited to be a member of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.femina.in/achievers/zoya-akhtar-invited-to-be-member-of-oscar-academy-127967.html|title=Zoya Akhtar invited to be a member of Oscar Academy|website=femina.in|language=en|access-date=2019-07-10}}</ref>
In 2023, she and Kagti co-created the crime thriller web series ''[[Dahaad]]'' starring [[Sonakshi Sinha]], [[Gulshan Devaiah]], [[Vijay Varma]] and [[Sohum Shah]] in lead roles. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video and received positive reviews from critics upon release. It also became the first ever Indian web series to premiere at the 2023 [[Berlin International Film Festival]], where it competed for the Berlinale Series Award.  


As of October 2019, she is directing a segment of [[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|''Ghost Stories'']] (2020), an [[Horror film|horror]] [[anthology film]], consisting of 4 [[short film]] segments. Other segments are directed by [[Anurag Kashyap]], [[Dibakar Banerjee]], and [[Karan Johar]].<ref name="niex:ghost" /> ''Ghost Stories'' premiered on Netflix on 1 January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/netflixs-ghost-stories-to-premier-on-january-1-2020-2403863.html|title=Netflix's Ghost Stories to Premier on January 1, 2020|website=News18|access-date=2019-12-20}}</ref>
Akhtar next directed the [[The Archies (film)|live-action feature film adaptation]] of ''[[The Archies]]'' which released on [[Netflix]] on 7 December 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=November 10, 2021 |title=Zoya Akhtar to Direct 'The Archies' Comic Book Adaptation for Netflix (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/the-archies-comic-book-adaptation-for-netflix-1235109056/}}</ref> The film stars debutants Agastya Nanda, [[Khushi Kapoor]], [[Suhana Khan]], [[Vedang Raina]], Mihir Ahuja, [[Aditi Saigal]] and Yuvraj Menda as [[Archie Andrews]], [[Betty Cooper]], [[Veronica Lodge]], [[Reggie Mantle]], [[Jughead Jones]], [[Ethel Muggs]] and [[Dilton Doiley]] respectively. It opened to negative reviews from critics and audience alike upon release.


She next collaborated with Kagti, Arjun Varain Singh and Yash Sahai on the coming-of-age buddy drama ''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]'', directed by Singh and starring [[Siddhant Chaturvedi]], [[Ananya Panday]], and [[Adarsh Gourav]] in lead roles.<ref name=":1" /> The film was released on [[Netflix]] on 26 December 2023 and received positive reviews from critics upon release.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Film Alert: Kho Gaye Hum Kahan - In Which Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Adarsh Gourav "Disconnect To Reconnect" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/new-film-alert-kho-gaye-hum-kahan-in-which-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-adarsh-gourav-disconnect-to-reconnect-2542768 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
==Filmography==
==Filmography==


===Director===
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; text-align: center;
|-
|-
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Writer !! Producer !! Note(s)
! Year !! Film !! Director !! Writer !! Producer !! Note(s)
Line 73: Line 80:
| 2007  
| 2007  
| ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]''
| ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]''
|{{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} ||
|{{no}} || {{no}} || {{partial|Executive}} ||
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| ''[[Luck By Chance]]''
| ''[[Luck By Chance]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{partial|executive}} || Director Debut
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{partial|Executive}} || Directorial debut
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]''
| ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || co-writer : [[Reema Kagti]]
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || rowspan="2" | co-writer : [[Reema Kagti]]
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
|''[[Talaash: The Answer Lies Within|Talaash]]''
|''[[Talaash: The Answer Lies Within]]''
|{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || co-writer : [[Reema Kagti]]
|{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}  
|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
| ''[[Bombay Talkies (film)|Bombay Talkies]]''
| ''[[Bombay Talkies (film)|Bombay Talkies]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || [[anthology film]]; Segement: ''Sheila Ki Jawaani''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || [[anthology film]]; Segment: ''Sheila Ki Jawaani''
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
Line 96: Line 103:
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''[[Lust Stories (film)|Lust Stories]]''
| ''[[Lust Stories]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||[[anthology film]]
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||[[anthology film]]; Segment 2
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
| ''[[Gully Boy]]''
| ''[[Gully Boy]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || co-writer : [[Reema Kagti]]
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || co-writer : [[Reema Kagti]]
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Made in Heaven (TV Series)|Made in Heaven]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || TV series<br>2 episodes
|-
|-
|2020
|2020
|''[[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|Ghost Stories]]''
|''[[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|Ghost Stories]]''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||An [[anthology film]];<ref name="niex:ghost">{{Cite news |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2019/apr/15/karan-johar-zoya-dibakar-and-anurag-reunite-for-netflixs-ghost-stories-1964670.html |title=Karan Johar, Zoya, Dibakar and Anurag reunite for Netflix's 'Ghost Stories' |date=15 April 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> Segement: ''Story 1''
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||[[anthology film]]; Segment 1
|-
|-
|}
===Executive Producer===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Year
|rowspan=2|2023
! scope="col" | Film
|''[[The Archies (film)|The Archies]]''
! scope="col" | Producer
|{{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||Live-action musical film adaptation<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-and-archie-comics-partner-for-the-live-action-musical-film-the|title=Netflix and Archie Comics Partner for the Live-Action Musical Film, The Archies, to be Directed By Zoya Akhtar|date=November 11, 2021|website=Netflix Media Center}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]''
|{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Released on [[Netflix]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/it-s-a-wrap-for-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-s-kho-gaye-hum-kahan-see-pic-1987625-2022-08-13|title=It's a wrap for Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. See pic|website=India Today|date=13 August 2022 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2007
|2025
| ''[[Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.]]''
|''[[Superboys of Malegaon]]''
|rowspan="2"|[[Farhan Akhtar]], [[Ritesh Sidhwani]]
|{{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Released on [[Amazon Prime Video]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/superboys-of-malegaon-trailer-out-adarsh-gourav-starrer-is-all-about-cinema-dreams-and-friendship-watch-article-113120229 |title=Superboys Of Malegaon Trailer OUT! Adarsh Gourav Starrer Is All About Cinema, Dreams And Friendship. WATCH |date=6 September 2024 |access-date=7 September 2024 |website=Times Now |author=Sushmita Dey}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Luck By Chance]]''
|}
|}


===Lyricist===
===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; text-align: center;
|-
! Year !! Show !! Creator !! Director !! Writer !! Producer !! Notes !! Platform
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Year
| style="text-align:center;" | 2019–2023
! scope="col" | Film
| ''[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]]''
| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
| rowspan=2|{{no wrap|Co-created with}} [[Reema Kagti]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Amazon Prime Video]]
|-
|-
| 2004
| style="text-align:center;" | 2023
| ''[[Bride and Prejudice]]''
| ''[[Dahaad]]''
|{{yes}}||{{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|}
|}


==Other Appearances==
==Other appearances==
She appeared on the [[Valentine's Day]] charity show of ''[[Kaun Banega Crorepati]]'' along with her brother [[Farhan Akhtar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/feb/14kbc.htm|title=Discuss: A Shah Rukh Valentine|date=14 February 2007|publisher=Rediff|access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> She also appeared in a very brief role as Rasa Devi's ([[Rekha]]'s) courtesan in ''[[Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015295/|title=Zoya Akhtar|website=IMDb}}</ref> She and [[Shah Rukh Khan]] had a 'fireside chat' with [[Jeff Bezos]] of [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] in January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/jeff-bezos-shah-rukh-khan-zoya-akhtar-chat-amazon-india-gandhi-bollywood-don-how-to-watch-2167317|title=Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Talk Amazon, Storytelling, Failures, Superstitions, and More: How to Watch|first=Akhil|last=Arora|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020|publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-joins-jeff-bezos-at-blue-carpet-event-confesses-he-doesn-t-shop-for-underwear-online-see-pics/story-D3SnbskoYvbwiQKNHaSbOO.html|title=Shah Rukh Khan joins Jeff Bezos at blue carpet event, confesses he doesn't shop for 'underwear online'. See pics|date=January 17, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJJB7eb-1u0|title=Fireside Chat with Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Amazon Prime Video|date=January 17, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref>
She appeared on the [[Valentine's Day]] charity show of ''[[Kaun Banega Crorepati]]'' along with her brother [[Farhan Akhtar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/feb/14kbc.htm|title=Discuss: A Shah Rukh Valentine|date=14 February 2007|publisher=Rediff|access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> She also appeared in a very brief role as Rasa Devi's ([[Rekha]]'s) courtesan in ''[[Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love]]'' in September 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0015295/|title=Zoya Akhtar|website=IMDb}}</ref> She and [[Shah Rukh Khan]] had a 'fireside chat' with [[Jeff Bezos]] of [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] in January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/jeff-bezos-shah-rukh-khan-zoya-akhtar-chat-amazon-india-gandhi-bollywood-don-how-to-watch-2167317|title=Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Talk Amazon, Storytelling, Failures, Superstitions, and More: How to Watch|first=Akhil|last=Arora|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020|publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-joins-jeff-bezos-at-blue-carpet-event-confesses-he-doesn-t-shop-for-underwear-online-see-pics/story-D3SnbskoYvbwiQKNHaSbOO.html|title=Shah Rukh Khan joins Jeff Bezos at blue carpet event, confesses he doesn't shop for 'underwear online'. See pics|date=January 17, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJJB7eb-1u0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/lJJB7eb-1u0 |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=Fireside Chat with Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Amazon Prime Video|website=[[YouTube]] |date=January 17, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
Line 146: Line 152:
! Film !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
! Film !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
|-
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Luck by Chance]]  
|rowspan=3|[[Luck by Chance|''Luck By Chance'']]
|rowspan=3|[[55th Filmfare Awards]]
|rowspan=3|[[55th Filmfare Awards]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director|Best Debut Director]] (shared with [[Ayan Mukerji]] for ''[[Wake Up Sid]]'')
|{{won}}
|rowspan=3|<ref>[http://www.filmfare.com/articles/55th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-461.html 55th Idea Filmfare Awards Nominations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213061715/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/55th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-461.html |date=13 February 2010 }} Filmfare.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|access-date=31 August 2020|website=filmfare.com|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=3|<ref>[http://www.filmfare.com/articles/55th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-461.html 55th Idea Filmfare Awards Nominations]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners|access-date=2020-08-31|website=filmfare.com|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director|Best Debut Director]] (shared with [[Ayan Mukerji]] for ''[[Wake Up Sid]]'')
|rowspan=10|''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=10|[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]
|[[57th Filmfare Awards]]
|[[57th Filmfare Awards]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-sweeps-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/11676105.cms |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sweeps Filmfare Awards |work=The Times of India |accessdate=30 January 2012 |date=31 January 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130091201/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-sweeps-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/11676105.cms |archivedate=30 January 2012 }}</ref><br/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5tvV33OWm8|title=Zoya Announced as Best Director for ''ZNMD'' 2012}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-sweeps-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/11676105.cms |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sweeps Filmfare Awards |work=The Times of India |accessdate=30 January 2012 |date=31 January 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130091201/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-sweeps-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/11676105.cms |archivedate=30 January 2012 }}</ref><br/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5tvV33OWm8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915022941/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5tvV33OWm8|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2016|title=Zoya Announced as Best Director for ''ZNMD'' 2012| website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|[[13th IIFA Awards]]
|rowspan=2|[[13th IIFA Awards]]
|[[IIFA Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[IIFA Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)&nbsp;— Awards |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/awards/id/535587 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |accessdate=24 January 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103035713/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/awards/id/535587 |archivedate= 3 November 2013 }}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)&nbsp;— Awards |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/awards/id/535587 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |accessdate=24 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103035713/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/awards/id/535587 |archivedate= 3 November 2013 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[IIFA Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] with [[Reema Kagti]]
|[[IIFA Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] (with Reema Kagti)
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
Line 175: Line 181:
|[[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2987/Winners+of+18th+Annual+Colors+Screen+Awards+2012 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |accessdate=24 January 2015 |date=16 January 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426180845/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2987/Winners%20of%2018th%20Annual%20Colors%20Screen%20Awards%202012 |archivedate=26 April 2016 }}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2987/Winners+of+18th+Annual+Colors+Screen+Awards+2012 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |accessdate=24 January 2015 |date=16 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426180845/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2987/Winners%20of%2018th%20Annual%20Colors%20Screen%20Awards%202012 |archivedate=26 April 2016 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Screen Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] with Reema Kagti
|[[Screen Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] (with Reema Kagti)
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|-
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|[[Zee Cine Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[Zee Cine Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2998/ |title=Nominations for Zee Cine Awards 2012 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |date=19 January 2012 |accessdate=15 May 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619193032/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2998 |archivedate=19 June 2012 }}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2998/ |title=Nominations for Zee Cine Awards 2012 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=19 January 2012 |accessdate=15 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619193032/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2998 |archivedate=19 June 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Zee Cine Award for Best Story|Best Story]] with Reema Kagti
|[[Zee Cine Award for Best Story|Best Story]] (with Reema Kagti)
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
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|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apsaraawards.org/7th_apsara_awards_nominees.html |title=7th Apsara Awards&nbsp;– Nominees |publisher=[[Star Guild Awards|Film Producers Guild of India]] |accessdate=27 January 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504100107/http://apsaraawards.org/7th_apsara_awards_nominees.html |archivedate= 4 May 2012 }}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apsaraawards.org/7th_apsara_awards_nominees.html |title=7th Apsara Awards&nbsp;– Nominees |publisher=[[Star Guild Awards|Film Producers Guild of India]] |accessdate=27 January 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504100107/http://apsaraawards.org/7th_apsara_awards_nominees.html |archivedate= 4 May 2012 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|Best Screenplay with Reema Kagti
|Best Screenplay (with Reema Kagti)
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|-
|-
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|[[Stardust Award for Dream Director|Dream Director]]
|[[Stardust Award for Dream Director|Dream Director]]
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3060 |title=Nominations of Stardust Awards 2012 |publisher=Bollywood Hungama |accessdate=15 March 2012 |date=6 February 2012 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213203922/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3060 |archivedate=13 February 2013 }}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3060 |title=Nominations of Stardust Awards 2012 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |accessdate=15 March 2012 |date=6 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213203922/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3060 |archivedate=13 February 2013 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]
|rowspan=2|''[[Dil Dhadakne Do]]''
|[[Screen Awards|22nd Screen Awards 2016]]
|[[Screen Awards|22nd Screen Awards 2016]]
| [[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
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|<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://ww.itimes.com/times-polls/category/times-of-india-film-awards-2016 |title=Times of India Film Awards Nominations |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301053044/http://ww.itimes.com/times-polls/category/times-of-india-film-awards-2016 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://ww.itimes.com/times-polls/category/times-of-india-film-awards-2016 |title=Times of India Film Awards Nominations |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301053044/http://ww.itimes.com/times-polls/category/times-of-india-film-awards-2016 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan=13|[[Gully Boy]]
|rowspan=13|''[[Gully Boy]]''
|[[26th Screen Awards]]
|[[26th Screen Awards]]
| [[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Screen Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
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|rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/technical-nominations-for-the-65th-filmfare-awards-2020_-38868.html|title=Technical Nominations for the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020|website=Filmfare|date=31 January 2020|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/65th-amazon-filmfare-awards-technical-and-short-film-award-winners-38901.html|title=65th Amazon Filmfare Award 2020 Technical and Short Film award winners|website=Filmfare|date=2 February 2020|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
|rowspan=3|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/technical-nominations-for-the-65th-filmfare-awards-2020_-38868.html|title=Technical Nominations for the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020|website=Filmfare|date=31 January 2020|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/65th-amazon-filmfare-awards-technical-and-short-film-award-winners-38901.html|title=65th Amazon Filmfare Award 2020 Technical and Short Film award winners|website=Filmfare|date=2 February 2020|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]] with [[Reema Kagti]]
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Story|Best Story]] (with Reema Kagti)
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] with Reema Kagti
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] (with Reema Kagti)
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
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| Best Director (Hindi)
| Best Director (Hindi)
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-film-awards-ranveer-singh-wins-for-gully-boy-geetika-vidya-ohlyan-wins-best-actress-for-soni-full-list#read-more}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Here's a Full List of the Winners of Critics' Choice Film Awards|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-film-awards-ranveer-singh-wins-for-gully-boy-geetika-vidya-ohlyan-wins-best-actress-for-soni-full-list#read-more|website=The Quint|date=29 March 2020 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Jagran Film Festival]]
| [[Jagran Film Festival]]
| Best Writing with Reema Kagti
| Best Writing (with Reema Kagti)
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jagran-film-festival-2019-aibs-chintu-ka-birthday-named-best-film-gully-boy-wins-for-music-writing-7424771.html|title=Jagran Film Festival 2019|work=Firstpost|date=30 September 2019|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jagran-film-festival-2019-aibs-chintu-ka-birthday-named-best-film-gully-boy-wins-for-music-writing-7424771.html|title=Jagran Film Festival 2019|work=Firstpost|date=30 September 2019|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Indian Film Festival of Melbourne|Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019]]
|rowspan=2|[[Indian Film Festival of Melbourne|Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019]]
| Best Director
|Best Film
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/iffm-awards-2019-winners-shah-rukh-khan-zoya-akhtar-tabu-karan-johar-and-other-celebrities-win-the-award/articleshow/70601818.cms|title=IFFM Awards 2019 winners: Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu, Karan Johar and other celebrities win the award|work=The Times of India|date=9 August 2019|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/iffm-awards-2019-winners-shah-rukh-khan-zoya-akhtar-tabu-karan-johar-and-other-celebrities-win-the-award/articleshow/70601818.cms|title=IFFM Awards 2019 winners: Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu, Karan Johar and other celebrities win the award|work=The Times of India|date=9 August 2019|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Best Film
| Best Director
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
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| Best Asian Film
| Best Asian Film
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aacta.org/connect/nominees-for-the-2019-aacta-award-for-best-asian-film-announced/|title=Nominees for the 2019 AACTA Award for Best Asian Film Announced|website=Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts|date=15 October 2019|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aacta.org/connect/nominees-for-the-2019-aacta-award-for-best-asian-film-announced/|title=Nominees for the 2019 AACTA Award for Best Asian Film Announced|website=Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts|date=15 October 2019|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201050421/https://www.aacta.org/connect/nominees-for-the-2019-aacta-award-for-best-asian-film-announced/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival]]
| [[Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival]]
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|rowspan=2|[[21st IIFA Awards]]
|rowspan=2|[[21st IIFA Awards]]
| [[IIFA Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[IIFA Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| {{pending}}
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iifa.com/blog/Xl-zhxEAACIAaNIf/iifa-awards-2020-here-are-the-nominations|title=IIFA Awards 2020: Here are the nominations!|website=International Indian Film Academy Awards|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref>
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite news |title=IIFA Awards 2020 - Popular Award Winners |url=https://iifa.com/blog/blog-details/iifa-awards-2020---popular-award-winners |access-date=28 November 2021 |website=[[IIFA Awards]] |date=25 November 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126055921/https://iifa.com/blog/blog-details/iifa-awards-2020---popular-award-winners |archive-date=26 November 2021 }}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[IIFA Award for Best Story|Best Story]] with Reema Kagti
| [[IIFA Award for Best Story|Best Story]] (with Reema Kagti)
| {{pending}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
|[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]]
|[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|''Made in Heaven'']]
|[[iReel Awards|iReel Awards 2019]]
|[[iReel Awards|iReel Awards 2019]]
|Best Writing -Drama with Zoya Akhtar
|Best Writing - Drama
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/ireel-awards-2019-check-out-the-complete-list-of-winners-2320007.html|title=iReel Awards 2019: Check Out The Complete List Of Winners|date=2019-09-23|website=News18|access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/ireel-awards-2019-check-out-the-complete-list-of-winners-2320007.html|title=iReel Awards 2019: Check Out The Complete List Of Winners|date=2019-09-23|website=News18|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>
|-
|-
|{{N/A}}
|[[Bollywood Hungama Style Icons]]
|Most Stylish Filmmaker
|{{Nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/style-icons/winners.php | title=Complete List of Winners of Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards | website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] }}</ref>
|}
|}


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{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0015295|name=Zoya Akhtar}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0015295|name=Zoya Akhtar}}
{{Zoya Akhtar}}
{{Zoya Akhtar}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Zoya Akhtar
| list =
{{FilmfareAwardBestDirector 2001-2020}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestDirector 2001-2020}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{IIFAAwardBestDirector}}
{{IIFAAwardBestDirector}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Screen Award for Best Director}}
{{ZeeCineAwardBestDirector}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Indian women screenwriters]]
[[Category:Indian women screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Hindi-language screenwriters]]
[[Category:Women writers from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Hindi-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:Hindi screenwriters]]
[[Category:Women artists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Women artists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian atheists]]
[[Category:Indian atheists]]
[[Category:Indian agnostics]]
[[Category:Indian agnostics]]
[[Category:21st-century screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]
[[Category:Zee Cine Awards winners]]
[[Category:International Indian Film Academy Awards winners]]
[[Category:Irani (India) people]]

Latest revision as of 03:20, 17 March 2026


Zoya Akhtar
Akhtar at the 2024 TIFF Film Festival
Born (1972-10-14) 14 October 1972 (age 53)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Filmmaker
  • screenwriter
Years active1996–present
OrganisationTiger Baby Films
Parent(s)
RelativesAkhtar family

Zoya Akhtar (born 14 October 1972) is an Indian director, producer and screenwriter who works in Hindi films and series. Born to Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, she completed a diploma in filmmaking from NYU and assisted directors Mira Nair, Tony Gerber and Dev Benegal, before becoming a writer and director. She is the recipient of several accolades, including four Filmfare Awards.[1] Akhtar and frequent collaborator Reema Kagti founded the production company Tiger Baby Films in 2015.

Akhtar made her directorial debut with the drama Luck by Chance (2009), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director. She achieved her breakthrough with the comedy-drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Director. She has since directed the comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), segments in the anthology films Lust Stories (2018) and Ghost Stories (2020), and the musical drama Gully Boy (2019), which won her a second Filmfare Award for Best Director. She has also worked on the streaming drama series Made in Heaven (2019–2023) and the crime thriller series Dahaad (2023).

Early life[edit | edit source]

Akhtar was born to poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar and screenwriter Honey Irani. Akhtar's stepmother is actress Shabana Azmi.[2]

Her great-grandfather, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, a scholar of Islamic studies and theology, edited the first diwan of Mirza Ghalib on his request and later became a figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 in his native Khairabad.[3]

Akhtar grew up in an atheist environment and along with her brother Farhan and father Javed, and does not believe in any religion.[4][5]

Career[edit | edit source]

Early work (1996–2007)[edit | edit source]

Akhtar started her career as the co-director of a music video called Price of Bullets for a rock band called Pentagram. She has worked as a casting director for films including the drama Split Wide Open (1999) and the ensemble coming-of-age comedy-drama Dil Chahta Hai (2001), and as an assistant director for her brother Farhan Akhtar's films Dil Chahta Hai and the coming-of-age war drama Lakshya (2004). She then worked as an executive producer for her longtime friend and associate Reema Kagti's comedy-drama Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007), also produced by Excel Entertainment.[6]

Akhtar (right) with Reema Kagti

Directorial debut, breakthrough and critical acclaim (2009–2013)[edit | edit source]

Akhtar made her directorial debut with the drama Luck By Chance (2009), starring her brother Farhan and Konkona Sen Sharma in lead roles. The film tells the story of a struggling actor who breaks into the industry. It opened to widespread critical acclaim, with high praise directed towards its novel concept, story, screenplay and dialogues; however, the film had an underwhelming performance at the box-office.[7][8][9] It earned Akhtar the inaugural Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director, tying for the award with Ayan Mukerji for Wake Up Sid.

In 2011, she achieved her breakthrough with the coming-of-age comedy-drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which stars an ensemble cast of Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin in lead roles.[10] The film opened to widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its novel concept, storyline and setting. It emerged as a major commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹1.53 billion (US$19 million) worldwide, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[11] Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara earned Akhtar her first Filmfare Award for Best Director.

The following year, she and Kagti co-wrote the psychological crime thriller Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012), starring an ensemble cast of Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukerji, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rajkummar Rao and Shernaz Patel in lead roles. The film received highly positive reviews upon release and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office.[12]

In 2013, Akhtar teamed up with Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and Karan Johar for the anthology film Bombay Talkies. It was made as a celebration of 100 years of Indian cinema.[13][14] Her segment titled Sheila Ki Jawaani, told the story of a 12-year-old child who idolised Hindi film actress Katrina Kaif and aspires to be a Bollywood dancer, earned her positive reviews from critics. However, the film emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.[15]

Continued success and career expansion (2015–present)[edit | edit source]

Akhtar at Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards in 2016

Akhtar next directed the family comedy-drama Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), which told the story of a dysfunctional Punjabi family. The film stars an ensemble cast, with Anil Kapoor as an egotistical industrialist, Shefali Shah as his bitter socialite-wife, and Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh as their children. The film also features Anushka Sharma and Farhan Akhtar as love interests of Singh and Chopra.[16][17] The film opened to positive reviews from critics, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹1.44 billion (US$18 million) worldwide, ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[18]

The same year, Akhtar, along with Reema Kagti, founded Tiger Baby Films, an Indian film production company.

In 2018, she again teamed up with Kashyap, Banerjee and Johar for the anthology film Lust Stories, the sequel to Bombay Talkies, which premiered on Netflix in June 2018. Her segment in the film, about the sexual relationship between a bachelor (Neil Bhoopalam) and his maid (Bhumi Pednekar), received positive reviews.

In 2019, Akhtar directed the musical drama Gully Boy starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles.[19] The film was loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rappers Naezy and Divine.[20] It received positive reviews from critics upon release, and emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹2.38 billion (US$33.8 million) worldwide, ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[21] At the 65th Filmfare Awards, Gully Boy won a record 13 Filmfare Awards, the most awards for a single film in a year, breaking the previous record of Black (2005) with 11 wins. The film won Akhtar (along with Kagti) the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay, in addition to her second Filmfare Award for Best Director, thus making her the only female director to win the award twice.

The same year, Akhtar and Kagti created the romantic comedy-drama web series Made in Heaven, alongside Nithya Mehra and Alankrita Srivastava which told the story of two wedding planners in New Delhi.[22][23] The series, which stars an ensemble cast of Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Shashank Arora, Kalki Koechlin and Shivani Raghuvanshi in lead roles, was produced by Tiger Baby Films and Excel Entertainment, and premiered on Amazon Prime Video. The first season of the series released in 2019, followed by the second season in 2023, after several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The series received widespread critical acclaim, with high praise for its dark take on the Big Fat Indian Wedding.

She was also invited to be a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[24]

In 2020, she reteamed with Kashyap, Banerjee and Johar for the horror anthology film Ghost Stories, the sequel to Lust Stories.[25] Ghost Stories premiered on Netflix on 1 January 2020.[26] Her segment in the film told the story of an ailing bedridden elderly lady (Surekha Sikri) and her nurse (Janhvi Kapoor). Unlike its predecessors, it received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics upon release.

In 2023, she and Kagti co-created the crime thriller web series Dahaad starring Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma and Sohum Shah in lead roles. The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video and received positive reviews from critics upon release. It also became the first ever Indian web series to premiere at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the Berlinale Series Award.

Akhtar next directed the live-action feature film adaptation of The Archies which released on Netflix on 7 December 2023.[27] The film stars debutants Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi Saigal and Yuvraj Menda as Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle, Jughead Jones, Ethel Muggs and Dilton Doiley respectively. It opened to negative reviews from critics and audience alike upon release.

She next collaborated with Kagti, Arjun Varain Singh and Yash Sahai on the coming-of-age buddy drama Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, directed by Singh and starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, and Adarsh Gourav in lead roles.[28] The film was released on Netflix on 26 December 2023 and received positive reviews from critics upon release.[29]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Films[edit | edit source]

Year Film Director Writer Producer Note(s)
2007 Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. No No Executive
2009 Luck By Chance Yes Yes Executive Directorial debut
2011 Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Yes Yes No co-writer : Reema Kagti
2012 Talaash: The Answer Lies Within No Yes No
2013 Bombay Talkies Yes Yes No anthology film; Segment: Sheila Ki Jawaani
2015 Dil Dhadakne Do Yes Yes No co-writer : Reema Kagti
2018 Lust Stories Yes Yes No anthology film; Segment 2
2019 Gully Boy Yes Yes Yes co-writer : Reema Kagti
2020 Ghost Stories Yes Yes No anthology film; Segment 1
2023 The Archies Yes Yes Yes Live-action musical film adaptation[30]
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan No Yes Yes Released on Netflix[31]
2025 Superboys of Malegaon No No Yes Released on Amazon Prime Video[28]

Television[edit | edit source]

Year Show Creator Director Writer Producer Notes Platform
2019–2023 Made in Heaven Yes Yes Yes Yes Co-created with Reema Kagti Amazon Prime Video
2023 Dahaad Yes No Yes Yes

Other appearances[edit | edit source]

She appeared on the Valentine's Day charity show of Kaun Banega Crorepati along with her brother Farhan Akhtar.[32] She also appeared in a very brief role as Rasa Devi's (Rekha's) courtesan in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love in September 1996.[33] She and Shah Rukh Khan had a 'fireside chat' with Jeff Bezos of Amazon in January 2020.[34][35][36]

Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]

Film Award Category Result Ref
Luck By Chance 55th Filmfare Awards Best Debut Director (shared with Ayan Mukerji for Wake Up Sid) Won [37][38]
Best Story Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 57th Filmfare Awards Best Director Won [39]
[40]
13th IIFA Awards Best Director Won [41]
Best Screenplay (with Reema Kagti) Won
18th Screen Awards Best Director Nominated [42]
Best Screenplay (with Reema Kagti) Nominated
Zee Cine Awards Best Director Nominated [43]
Best Story (with Reema Kagti) Won
Star Guild Awards 2012 Best Director Won [44]
Best Screenplay (with Reema Kagti) Won
Stardust Awards Dream Director Nominated [45]
Dil Dhadakne Do 22nd Screen Awards 2016 Best Director Nominated [46]
Times of India Film Awards 2016 Best Director Nominated [47]
Gully Boy 26th Screen Awards Best Director Won [48]
65th Filmfare Awards Best Director Won [49][50]
Best Story (with Reema Kagti) Nominated
Best Screenplay (with Reema Kagti) Won
Zee Cine Awards Best Director Won [51]
Critics' Choice Film Awards 2020 Best Director (Hindi) Won [52]
Jagran Film Festival Best Writing (with Reema Kagti) Won [53]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019 Best Film Nominated [54]
Best Director Won
9th AACTA Awards Best Asian Film Nominated [55]
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film Won [56]
21st IIFA Awards Best Director Nominated [57]
Best Story (with Reema Kagti) Won
Made in Heaven iReel Awards 2019 Best Writing - Drama Nominated [58]
N/A Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Most Stylish Filmmaker Nominated [59]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020". filmfare.com. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Shabana Azmi- Farhan and Zoya Akhtar - Bollywood stepmothers who share a beautiful bond with their step kids". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  3. ↑ Jan Nisar Akhtar Biography The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (D -J). by Amaresh Datta. Sahitya Akademi, 2006. ISBN 81-260-1194-7. p. 1796-97.
  4. ↑ "10 Self-Proclaimed Celebrity Atheists | Entertainment | iDiva.com | Page 4". iDiva.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Celebs who are atheist". Times of India. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Zoya Akhtar". Excel Entertainment.
  7. ↑ "Zoya Akhtar". Outlook. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  8. ↑ Adarsh, Taran. "Box office Top 5". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "Luck By Chance - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Cast and Crew details". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  11. ↑ "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "Talaash - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "Bollywood directors join hands to pay homage to Indian cinema. She teamed up again with the same directorial squad, which consisted of Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, and Karan Johar to a direct Lust Stories, a Netflix Original Indian anthology film, consisting of four short film segments". The Times of India. 7 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  14. ↑ Dubey, Bharati (25 January 2012). "Film industry to mark Phalke centenary". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Bombay Talkies - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "'Dil Dhadakne Do' - Movie Review". No. Mid-day.com. Mid-Day. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "Zoya Akhtar's film is about a dysfunctional Punjabi family". Times of India. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Dil Dhadakne Do - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "Ranveer Singh to turn composer for Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boyz". Deccan Chronicle. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "Ranveer Singh Met Underground Rappers- Ranveer Singh Gully Boy Movie". Desi Hip Hop. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  21. ↑ "Gully Boy - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  22. ↑ NAIRITA MUKHERJEE (18 June 2017). "After Inside Edge, is Zoya Akhtar's show next on Amazon Prime?". Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "Farhan Akhtar might have a cameo in Zoya Akhtar's next". The Indian Express. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  24. ↑ "Zoya Akhtar invited to be a member of Oscar Academy". femina.in. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  25. ↑ "Karan Johar, Zoya, Dibakar and Anurag reunite for Netflix's 'Ghost Stories'". The New Indian Express. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  26. ↑ "Netflix's Ghost Stories to Premier on January 1, 2020". News18. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  27. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (10 November 2021). "Zoya Akhtar to Direct 'The Archies' Comic Book Adaptation for Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Sushmita Dey (6 September 2024). "Superboys Of Malegaon Trailer OUT! Adarsh Gourav Starrer Is All About Cinema, Dreams And Friendship. WATCH". Times Now. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  29. ↑ "New Film Alert: Kho Gaye Hum Kahan - In Which Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Adarsh Gourav "Disconnect To Reconnect"". NDTV.com. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "Netflix and Archie Comics Partner for the Live-Action Musical Film, The Archies, to be Directed By Zoya Akhtar". Netflix Media Center (Press release). 11 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "It's a wrap for Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. See pic". India Today. 13 August 2022.
  32. ↑ "Discuss: A Shah Rukh Valentine". Rediff. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  33. ↑ "Zoya Akhtar". IMDb.
  34. ↑ Arora, Akhil (21 January 2020). "Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Talk Amazon, Storytelling, Failures, Superstitions, and More: How to Watch". India Today. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  35. ↑ "Shah Rukh Khan joins Jeff Bezos at blue carpet event, confesses he doesn't shop for 'underwear online'. See pics". Hindustan Times. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  36. ↑ "Fireside Chat with Jeff Bezos, Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar Amazon Prime Video". YouTube. 17 January 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  37. ↑ 55th Idea Filmfare Awards Nominations Archived 13 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine Filmfare.
  38. ↑ "Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2020". filmfare.com. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  39. ↑ "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sweeps Filmfare Awards". The Times of India. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  40. ↑ "Zoya Announced as Best Director for ZNMD 2012". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016.
  41. ↑ "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) — Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  42. ↑ "Winners of 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012". Bollywood Hungama. 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  43. ↑ "Nominations for Zee Cine Awards 2012". Bollywood Hungama. 19 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  44. ↑ "7th Apsara Awards – Nominees". Film Producers Guild of India. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  45. ↑ "Nominations of Stardust Awards 2012". Bollywood Hungama. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  46. ↑ "22 Star Screen Awards". Star India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  47. ↑ "Times of India Film Awards Nominations". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  48. ↑ "Winners of Star Screen Awards 2019". Bollywood Hungama. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  49. ↑ "Technical Nominations for the 65th Amazon Filmfare Awards 2020". Filmfare. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  50. ↑ "65th Amazon Filmfare Award 2020 Technical and Short Film award winners". Filmfare. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  51. ↑ "ZEE Cine Awards 2020: Winners list". BizAsia. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  52. ↑ "Here's a Full List of the Winners of Critics' Choice Film Awards". The Quint. 29 March 2020.
  53. ↑ "Jagran Film Festival 2019". Firstpost. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  54. ↑ "IFFM Awards 2019 winners: Shah Rukh Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu, Karan Johar and other celebrities win the award". The Times of India. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  55. ↑ "Nominees for the 2019 AACTA Award for Best Asian Film Announced". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  56. ↑ "'Gully Boy' wins NETPAC Award at BIFAN in South Korea". Business Standard India. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  57. ↑ "IIFA Awards 2020 - Popular Award Winners". IIFA Awards. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  58. ↑ "iReel Awards 2019: Check Out The Complete List Of Winners". News18. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  59. ↑ "Complete List of Winners of Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards". Bollywood Hungama.

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