All posts tagged: Zoya

Zoya Akhtar calls Bollywood ‘star-driven industry’, says ‘we aren’t interested in anything with no stars’ | Interview

Zoya Akhtar calls Bollywood ‘star-driven industry’, says ‘we aren’t interested in anything with no stars’ | Interview

Published by Parlour News

In a career spanning two decades, Zoya Akhtar has backed more films than she has directed herself. As a producer or executive producer, she has been championing independent films for a while now. The latest of these hidden gems is the Sikkimese film Shape of Momo, directed by debutante Tribeny Rai, which was released in theatres this week. Ahead of the release, Zoya spoke to Hindustan Times about the ecosystem for indie films in India and the pros and cons of India’s star system. Zoya Akhtar opens up about the existing ecosystem for independent cinema in India. ‘There has to be a distribution system’ Shape of Momo won awards at festivals all around the world, including at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival. Eventually, it found its way into theatres in India. “These films were occasional events, but that is becoming increasingly frequent,” says Zoya as she talks about acclaimed independent films from India. “Whether it was Village Rockstars, All We Imagine as Light at Cannes, Boong, or Sabaar Bonda at Sundance, it’s happening constantly.” …

Zoya Akhtar confirms theft at her production house, calls it an ‘internal job’: ‘Sad to what extent people go’

Zoya Akhtar confirms theft at her production house, calls it an ‘internal job’: ‘Sad to what extent people go’

Published by Webster

A major theft allegedly took place at Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s production office, Tiger Baby Digital LLP , in Mumbai. It was reported that 66 hard discs which contained sensitive production date was stolen from the company’s office and was sold . Now, Zoya has confiemd the robbery.Howveer, she also shared that the production house had backup copies of the content Zoya Akhtar (HT Photo) Zoya on theft Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Zoya Akhtar said, “Yes, there has been a robbery in my office, hard disks have been stolen. We filed a complaint and police has made some arrests as well. It’s an internal job, it’s sad to what extent people go to make mone. Luckily we have backup files of everything.” About theft at Zoya’s office Hindustan Times had reported that an staffer, Shahid Khan, who was employed at the company’s Mumbai office was arrested in connection with the cas after Mehjabeen Mushtaq Shaikh, who worked as an executive assistant with the production house, had filed an FIR regarding the matter. Shaikh had alleged …

Zoya Akhtar reacts to theft of 66 hard disks at her production office

Zoya Akhtar reacts to theft of 66 hard disks at her production office

Published by Webster

A shocking theft was recently reported at producers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Tiger Baby Films’ office. The robbery reportedly involved 66 missing hard disks containing production data from the office. Following the incident, Zoya Akhtar has now reacted to it, revealing that a police complaint has been filed and arrests have already been made in the case. Zoya Akhtar reacts to theft at her office Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Zoya confirmed, “Yes, there has been a robbery in my office, hard disks have been stolen. We filed a complaint, and police have made some arrests as well.” Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

Theft at Zoya Akhtar’s production house: Data worth ₹13 lakh stolen, hard discs sold for ₹15-20,000 each

Theft at Zoya Akhtar’s production house: Data worth ₹13 lakh stolen, hard discs sold for ₹15-20,000 each

Published by Webster

Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s production house Tiger Baby Digital LLP has allegedly suffered a data theft worth ₹13 lakh at its Mumbai office. According to a report in Hindustan Times, an employee who had been working as a staffer at the company’s Mumbai office has been arrested in connection with the case. A theft has been reported at Zoya Akhtar’s production house Tiger Baby Digital LLP. (File photo by AFP) (AFP) Staffer of Zoya Akhtar’s production office arrested Mehjabeen Mushtaq Shaikh, 36, who worked as an executive assistant with the production house, had filed an FIR regarding the matter. Shaikh stated that the company stores hard drives — containing all production-related material such as raw footage, edited scenes, promotional content and completed films — at its office premises. How did the theft happen? Shaikh admitted that he himself had initially organised and stored the hard drives in one of the cupboards. However, over time, the hard drives were handed over to employee Shahid Khan, who was given the responsibility of managing and storing them. …

Exclusive! Oscars 2027: Gulzar, Javed and Zoya Akhtar react to new guidelines on AI

Exclusive! Oscars 2027: Gulzar, Javed and Zoya Akhtar react to new guidelines on AI

Published by Parlour News

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced several major rule changes for the 99th Academy Awards (taking place in 2027), focusing on AI restrictions, acting nominations, and international film eligibility. Among the important rules are screenplays must be written by humans, not chatbots, to qualify and acting performances must be demonstrably performed by humans with their consent to be eligible. Noted Indian actors, lyricists, writers and filmmakers spoke to us about their thoughts on the same. Legendary Indian poet and lyricist Gulzar won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2009 for the song Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire. He tells us, “Human emotion is universal and that is what great cinema represents. In the past we have had some wonderful films from India that missed out on an Academy Award but highlighting human beings and the emotions they represent is the right thing to do. I would like to see stories like that of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mere Pyare Prime Minister and Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak, represent India at the …

Love Stories will make a comeback: Zoya Akhtar

Love Stories will make a comeback: Zoya Akhtar

Published by Webster

Mumbai, Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar believes traditional love stories will make a major return to the big screen soon. Love Stories will make a comeback: Zoya Akhtar At a special screenwriting workshop session organised by Whistling Woods International in association with the Screenwriters Association of India , Akhtar was asked what themes aspiring writers should explore. “I don’t function that way, like, ‘Oh, now they’re looking for this, so let me write this’…But if you look at it in the past 10 to 15 years, everything gets saturated, everything changes. So, if you look at it cyclically, maybe love stories will come back,” she said. Love stories like Yash Raj Films produced “Saiyaara” starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Dhanush and Kriti Sanon-starrer “Tere Ishk Mein” and “Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat” featuring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, turned out to be box office hits last year. Akhtar revealed that she is currently working on a couple of projects, both as a director and a producer. “We have ‘Dahaad 2’ being shot. Reema Kagti is shooting …

Zoya Akhtar predicts love stories will make a comeback in Hindi cinema, gives update on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2

Zoya Akhtar predicts love stories will make a comeback in Hindi cinema, gives update on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 2

Published by Webster

Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar believes romantic films could soon return to the forefront of Hindi cinema, as storytelling trends tend to cycle. According to her, genres often go through phases of saturation before audiences rediscover their appeal, which is why she feels love stories may be due for a revival. Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar gave an update on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara sequel. Zoya believes love stories will make a comeback Speaking during a recent screenwriting workshop organised by Whistling Woods International in collaboration with the Screenwriters Association, Zoya also shared insights into how she approaches writing and developing stories. “See, I don’t function that way. Like, I don’t know, ‘Oh, now they’re looking for this, so let me write this.’ I don’t think that way. But if you look at it over the past 10, 15 years, it changes. Everything gets saturated, everything changes. So, I mean, if you look at it cyclically, maybe love stories will come back,” she said. The filmmaker, known for projects such as Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and …

Shabana Azmi praises Zoya Akhtar for not objectifying Katrina Kaif: ‘She came out in bikini, but camera showed her only when…’ | Bollywood News

Shabana Azmi praises Zoya Akhtar for not objectifying Katrina Kaif: ‘She came out in bikini, but camera showed her only when…’ | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

4 min readKochiMar 3, 2026 05:19 PM IST Aside from being legendary figures in their respective artistic domains, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi are also highly political individuals who never mince words when voicing their opinions on what they deem right. Recently, Shabana, a proud feminist, admitted that she regrets starring in the romantic drama Thodisi Bewafaii (1980), even though she had as significant a role as Rajesh Khanna in it, because the film treated women as “secondary” and featured a highly misogynistic dialogue. The five-time National Award-winning actor also maintained that ever since she realised the movie’s undertones, she has made conscious efforts not to take on such projects. Javed, meanwhile, added to the discussion by stating that nobody would write such a line now. “There will be other things, yes. But this exact dialogue (Sasural ke ghar ka dukh bhi, maike ke sukh se achha lagta hai) won’t appear in a movie today. The template of sexism has changed because society has changed,” he pointed out during a conversation with Mojo Story. Also …

French President Emmanuel Macron calls Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha ‘legends’ of Indian cinema

French President Emmanuel Macron calls Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha ‘legends’ of Indian cinema

Published by Parlour News

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are on a diplomatic visit to India. They landed in Mumbai on Tuesday and held a special interaction with Bollywood celebrities while there. The President even posted pictures with celebrities like Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar and others, calling them ‘legends of Indian cinema’. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron with Manoj Bajpayee, Anil Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar and others. French President with ‘legends of Indian cinema’ President Macron posted numerous pictures on his Instagram from his meeting with Bollywood celebrities, writing, “Aux côtés de légendes du cinéma indien. La culture nous rassemble,” which translates to “Alongside legends of Indian cinema. Culture unites us.” The first picture shows President Macron and Lady Bridgitte posing with Manoj, Anil, Zoya, Richa Chadha, Shabana Azmi, Ricky Kej, and others. Some pictures also show Anil and Richa interacting with the President and dignitaries, while another group picture shows them all posing at the Gateway of India. Anil Kapoor, Ricky Kej post more pictures Anil also posted pictures …

We want to put out stories from India that are real: Zoya Akhtar on ‘Turtle Walker’

We want to put out stories from India that are real: Zoya Akhtar on ‘Turtle Walker’

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi, Filmmaker duo Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti believe in backing stories that they would want to watch and present something new to both global viewers and Indians, whether it is “Angry Young Men”, “In Transit” or “Turtle Walker”. We want to put out stories from India that are real: Zoya Akhtar on ‘Turtle Walker’ Directed by Taira Malaney, “Turtle Walker” revolves around Satish Bhaskar, an Indian biologist who devoted his life to preserving sea turtles. “Angry Young Men” documented the achievements of Akhtar’s father Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan as screenwriters, while “In Transit” has been shortlisted for the GLAAD awards. Slated to take place in March, the awards recognise stories focused on LGBTQ lives. “These are stories that move us and we want to put them out. We want to put out stories from India that are real and rooted – stories even people in India don’t know. It’s for the globe, but it’s also for the country, so people can see how diverse we are and what incredible lives are being …