Zoya Akhtar

Zoya Akhtar, born on 14 October 1972, is a leading figure in Hindi cinema. Her parents, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, were both deeply involved in the film industry, setting the stage for her career in film. Zoya began her journey by obtaining a diploma in filmmaking from the prestigious New York University (NYU) and assisted directors such as Mira Nair, Tony Gerber, and Dev Benegal. With four Filmfare Awards to her credit, Akhtar's journey in the world of movies includes significant milestones. Joining forces with Reema Kagti, she went on to establish Tiger Baby Films, a film and web studio in 2015.

Zoya's talents first unfolded as she made her directorial debut with Luck by Chance (2009). Her breakthrough followed with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director and Best Director respectively. Not limiting herself to directing, she co-wrote the psychological crime thriller Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012) alongside Kagti and directed Sheila Ki Jawaani, a segment of the film Bombay Talkies (2013). Her directorial prowess also extends to Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Gully Boy (2019), and segments in Lust Stories (2018) and Ghost Stories (2020). She also directed the live-action feature film adaptation of The Archies for Netflix. Zoya has ventured into the OTT space with the series Made in Heaven (2019-present) and Dahaad (2023-present). Adding another feather to her cap, she is a board member of the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI).