Zoya Akhtar Foresees Revival of Classic Love Stories in Indian Cinema
Renowned filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has made a compelling prediction that traditional love stories are poised for a significant comeback on the big screen. Speaking at a screenwriting workshop organized by Whistling Woods International in collaboration with the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA), Akhtar shared her insights on evolving industry trends and offered guidance to aspiring writers.
Cyclical Nature of Film Trends Inspires Optimism
During the interactive session, Akhtar was asked about themes that emerging writers should focus on. She responded by emphasizing that she does not follow fleeting trends but rather observes broader patterns in cinema. "I don't function that way, like, 'Oh, now they're (industry) 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 explained. This perspective is rooted in the historical ebb and flow of cinematic genres, where themes often resurface after periods of saturation.
Akhtar pointed to recent box office successes as evidence supporting her forecast. Films such as "Saiyaara" starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, "Tere Ishk Mein" featuring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, and "Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat" with Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa have all performed well commercially, indicating a renewed audience appetite for romantic narratives. These hits, produced by major studios like Yash Raj Films, demonstrate the enduring appeal of love stories in Indian cinema.
Akhtar's Current Projects and Creative Endeavors
In addition to her predictions, Akhtar revealed details about her ongoing work in the film industry. She is actively involved in multiple projects, both as a director and a producer. "We have 'Dahaad 2' being shot. Reema Kagti is shooting that. I'm writing two screenplays for myself. We finished one screenplay for Reema, and we are currently developing a bunch of scripts with other directors to set up and produce. I've two (films being planned), I'm writing them," she stated, though she chose not to disclose specific details about these upcoming ventures.
When questioned about a potential sequel to her beloved film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara," Akhtar remained coy, simply saying, "When it happens, I'll announce it." This has sparked anticipation among fans eagerly awaiting news of a follow-up to the iconic travel drama.
Evolution of Akhtar's Writing Process and Collaborations
Akhtar also delved into her personal writing journey, sharing an intriguing anecdote about her debut film, "Luck by Chance" from 2009. She recounted that the initial script took an unconventional form, expanding from a one-liner directly into a massive 200-to-300-page draft. "Earlier, I would write a one-liner for the entire film, like scene one, this happens; scene two, this happens; scene three, this happens, but what I didn't do then was edit before moving to the screenplay. I just expanded the one-liner straight into a screenplay, which ended up becoming a 200-to-300-page draft. Today it probably would have been a great series," she reflected.
The filmmaker credited her close friend and collaborator, writer-director Reema Kagti, with helping to reshape the script. "At the time, we weren't officially co-writing. She (Kagti) was working on 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd', while I was doing 'Luck By Chance'. When she read it, she asked, 'What are you trying to do? Why are you making a trilogy as your first film?!' So, we hacked it down, we edited heavily, removed scenes and characters, and condensed the story. She also wrote several scenes," Akhtar recalled. This collaboration was instrumental in refining the film, which starred her brother Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma, and went on to receive widespread acclaim.
Akhtar noted that her writing process has evolved significantly since then. "Now, I write a one-liner first, then go back and cut it down before I begin the screenplay. Even then things keep changing, but at least it doesn't end up being 300 pages," she said, highlighting a more streamlined and efficient approach to script development.
Workshop Highlights and Industry Engagement
The screenwriting workshop attracted notable figures from the entertainment industry, including writers Manisha Korde and Mitesh Shah, as well as lyricist Ginny Diwan. Such events underscore the growing emphasis on nurturing talent and fostering creativity within Indian cinema, aligning with Akhtar's advocacy for aspiring storytellers.
In summary, Zoya Akhtar's insights not only forecast a promising future for love stories in Bollywood but also offer a glimpse into her dynamic career and refined artistic methods. As she continues to work on new projects, her influence on the industry remains profound, inspiring both established professionals and emerging writers alike.
