Zoya Akhtar, a prominent figure in Bollywood, is a renowned film director and screenwriter. Learn more about her life, career, and family in this detailed biography.
Biography/Wiki
Born on October 14, 1972, in Mumbai, India, Zoya Akhtar is a celebrated filmmaker. She completed her schooling at Mumbai’s Maneckji Cooper, Juhu, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Her passion for filmmaking led her to the Tisch School of the Arts in New York for further studies in film production. Her upbringing was shaped by her parents’ divorce when she was 13, followed by her father’s marriage to Shabana Azmi.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
- Weight (approx.): 65 kg
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
- Figure Measurements (approx.): 34-30-36
Family, Caste & Boyfriend
Raised in a secular household, Zoya Akhtar identifies as agnostic.
Parents & Siblings
Zoya’s father, Javed Akhtar, is a legendary lyricist and screenwriter. Her mother, Honey Irani, is a former actress and screenwriter. Her stepmother is the acclaimed actress Shabana Azmi. She has a younger brother, Farhan Akhtar, a multi-talented individual who is an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, and singer. Her family boasts a rich literary heritage, tracing back to Urdu poets like her great-grandfather Muztar Khairabadi and grandfather Jan Nisar Akhtar. Her lineage also connects to Fazl-e-Haq-Khairabadi, a scholar who played a significant role in the Indian Freedom Revolution of 1857.
Husband
Rumors of Zoya Akhtar’s marriage to Sharic Sequeira, an assistant director and producer, surfaced in 2021 following a social media post. While the details remain unconfirmed, the speculation persists.
Relationships/Affairs
Zoya Akhtar has also been linked romantically to Carlos Catalan in the past.
Career
Zoya’s career began with co-directing the music video “Price of Bullets” for the rock band Pentagram. She then transitioned into casting, working on films like “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Split Wide Open.” She further honed her skills assisting her brother, Farhan Akhtar, in directing “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Lakshya.”
Her directorial debut, “Luck By Chance” (2009), showcased her talent as a director, screenwriter, and story writer. She also served as an executive producer for Reema Kagti’s “Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.” and Excel Entertainment.
Her subsequent films, “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” (2011) and “Dil Dhadhakne Do,” cemented her position as a successful director. Her critically acclaimed film “Gully Boy” (2019), based on the lives of Mumbai rappers Divine and Naezy, further solidified her reputation.
Awards
Zoya Akhtar has received several prestigious awards, including:
- Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director (shared with Ayan Mukherji) for “Luck By Chance”
- Best Director for “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”
- IIFA Award for Best Director for “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”
Net Worth
Zoya Akhtar’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
Favourites
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Litchi, Mango |
| Actor | Hrithik Roshan |
Facts
- Zoya Akhtar occasionally consumes alcohol.
- Her hobbies include writing, reading, and traveling.
- She resides in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- She is a devoted dog lover and owns a pet dog named Zen.
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