Zoya Akhtar Forecasts Major Comeback of Traditional Love Stories in Cinema
Renowned filmmaker Zoya Akhtar has expressed a strong belief that classic, traditional love stories are poised for a significant resurgence on the big screen in the near future. Akhtar shared this insightful prediction during a special screenwriting workshop session organized by Whistling Woods International in collaboration with the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA).
Cyclical Nature of Film Trends and Love Story Revival
When questioned about what themes aspiring writers should explore in the current cinematic landscape, Akhtar provided a thoughtful response. "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 observation highlights the natural ebb and flow of audience preferences and industry trends over time.
Akhtar pointed to several successful love stories from the previous year as evidence supporting her prediction. Notable box office hits included Yash Raj Films' production "Saiyaara" featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the Dhanush and Kriti Sanon-starrer "Tere Ishk Mein", and "Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat" with Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. These films demonstrated that well-crafted romantic narratives continue to resonate powerfully with audiences.
Current Projects and Future Plans
The acclaimed director revealed she is actively engaged in multiple projects, both as a director and 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," Akhtar stated, though she chose not to divulge specific details about these upcoming ventures.
When specifically asked about the much-anticipated sequel to her beloved film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", the filmmaker maintained a characteristically discreet stance. "When it happens, I'll announce it," she responded, leaving fans to speculate about the potential continuation of the popular travel drama.
Evolution of Writing Process and Collaborative Insights
Akhtar offered fascinating insights into her writing methodology, sharing an illuminating anecdote about her debut feature film, "Luck by Chance" from 2009. The film, which starred her brother Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma, received widespread critical acclaim despite an unconventional development process.
"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 revealed with characteristic humor.
The filmmaker credited her writer-director friend Reema Kagti with helping reshape the sprawling script into a more focused narrative. "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 recounted.
This collaborative experience fundamentally transformed her approach to screenwriting. "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 explained, highlighting the importance of disciplined editing in the creative process.
Workshop Participation and Industry Engagement
The screenwriting workshop attracted numerous industry professionals, including writers Manisha Korde and Mitesh Shah, along with lyricist Ginny Diwan. Such events provide valuable platforms for established filmmakers like Akhtar to mentor emerging talent while sharing practical wisdom about navigating the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
Akhtar's observations about cyclical trends in cinema, combined with her transparent discussion of creative methodologies, offer aspiring screenwriters both inspiration and practical guidance as they develop their own distinctive voices within the industry.
