After the smashing success of her latest venture - Gully Boy, The Quint asked Zoya Akhtar all about her film-making process and she offered some interesting insights into the factors that go into making blockbusters like Luck by Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do and Gully Boy.
The first thing she was asked, was the process she follows when she has to choose a script. To this, she said:
“Once the film releases, and you know it’s out in the universe, you know your head-space just changes. Depends on how it does, how it was received, when you look back at the work you’ve done, (you know) how you feel about it. So, now I don’t make plans, I just wait till organically something attracts me.”Zoya Akhtar
She also spoke about her tactic in choosing her actors and how she handles them, when she is directing an ensemble cast.
“I have always worked with actors and I’m really lucky that they have always gotten along on all my films, so I have never ever had to deal with an issue.”Zoya Akhtar
She said that when she chooses her crew, she should be on the same page as them and they should have clarity about the story that she is trying to convey.
To her, her crew has to be made up of people who can bring something to the table, something that even she can’t imagine. More importantly, she said, they should just have fun in the process of making the film.
Gully Boy, her most recent directorial venture has been getting praises from Bollywood and public alike - since it first released on 14 February.
Gully Boy is playing at a theatre near you.
Camera: Sanjoy Deb
Video Editor: Ashish Maccune
Producer: Vishnu Venugopalan
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