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Zoya Akhtar is a film director and screenwriter. She is the daughter of famous lyricist Javed Akhtar.
Biography/Wiki
Zoya Akhtar was born on 14 October 1972 (age 49 years; as of 2021) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She did her schooling at Mumbai’s Maneckji Cooper, Juhu and enrolled in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai to pursue a Bachelor of Arts. After that, she joined Tisch School of the Arts, New York to learn film production. When Zoya was 13-year-old, her father divorced her mother and got married to Shabana Azmi.
Zoya Akhtar with her brother in childhood
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
Zoya Akhtar grew up in an agnostic environment, and, hence, does not believes in any religion.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Javed Akhtar, is a lyricist and scriptwriter. Her mother, Honey Irani, is a former actress and screenwriter. The Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi is her stepmother. She has a younger brother, Farhan Akhtar, who is an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, and singer.
Zoya Akhtar with her father, Javed Akhtar, brother, Farhan Akhtar, and stepmother, Shabana Azmi
Zoya Akhtar with her mother, Honey Irani
Zoya Akhtar in her mother’s lap
Her great-grandfather Muztar Khairabadi was an Urdu poet. Her grandfather Jan Nisar Akhtar was also an Urdu poet. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Fazl-e-Haq-Khairabadi, a scholar of Islamic studies and theology who notably edited the first diwan of Mirza Ghalib on his request, and later became an important figure during the Indian Freedom Revolution of 1857 in his native place Khairabad.
Husband
Zoya is rumoured to be married to Sharic Sequeira who is an assistant director and producer. The rumours of her marriage started in 2021 when one of Sharic’s friends posted a photo of her and Sharic on Instagram. Zoya Akhtar commented “Just Married” on the photo, hinting towards her marriage with Sharic.
An Instagram post by Zoya Akhtar and Sharic Sequeira’s friend
Relationships/Affairs
Zoya has also ben rumoured to be dating Carlos Catalan.
Career
Zoya started her career as a co-director of the music video “Price of Bullets.” The music video was for a rock band called Pentagram. Next, she worked as a casting director for the films “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Split Wide Open.” She assisted her brother, Farhan Akhtar, in directing the films “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Lakshya.”
In 2009, she made her directorial debut with “Luck By Chance.” She not only directed the movie but also worked as a screenplay and story writer.
She has also worked as an executive producer for Reema Kagti’s Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. and Excel Entertainment.
Zoya Akhtar with Reema Kagti
In 2011, she directed “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” which was a box office success and received positive comments by the critics. Zoya then went on to direct “Dil Dhadhakne Do” starring Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh.
In 2019, she directed “Gully Boy,” a film based on the lives of Mumbai rappers Divine and Naezy.
Awards
- Filmfare Award for the Best Debut Director shared by Ayan Mukherji for the film ‘Luck By Chance’ (2009)
- Best Director for the film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011)
- IIFA Award for the Best Director for the film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be $10 million.
Favourites
Facts
- Zoya consumes alcohol occasionally.
Zoya Akhtar and Abhay Deol with a glass of Wine
- Her hobbies include writing, reading, and travelling.
- She resides at 701, Orchid Pride, Corner of S.V. Rd & Convent Avenue, Willingdon, Santacruz West, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- She is an avid dog lover and has a pet dog, Zen.
Zoya’s pet dog