Renowned filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, known for her directorial ventures like “Luck By Chance” and “The Archies,” recently opened up about her experiences working with Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and the debutante Suhana Khan in a candid interview. When questioned about whether she sought SRK’s presence on “The Archies” sets to mentor the newcomers, Zoya firmly expressed her stance, stating that she considers guiding newcomers as her responsibility. She emphasized that she wouldn’t delegate this task to someone else, as mentoring is an integral part of her role.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Role in “Luck By Chance”
Zoya delved into her casting choices, especially Shah Rukh Khan’s role in “Luck By Chance,” where he portrayed himself. Exploring the theme of stardom, SRK’s character shares a profound truth about the challenges of being a superstar. When asked if she wrote those lines with SRK in mind, Zoya acknowledged that the lines resonated with SRK’s real-life persona, highlighting his grounded nature and loyalty to those who supported him early in his career.
Debunking Nepotism Allegations
Addressing the ongoing nepotism debate, especially concerning “The Archies,” Zoya defended her stance. She asserted that nepotism only comes into play when public or external money is involved, and one favours friends and family. According to her, spending one’s own money on a project does not fall under the purview of nepotism, leaving the audience to decide the success of the film based on their preferences.
Zoya’s Take on Nepotism Controversy
In a previous interview, Zoya bluntly addressed the nepotism controversy surrounding “The Archies.” She stressed that it’s not nepotism when she invests her own money and makes decisions about the cast. She firmly believes that the audience’s verdict ultimately determines the fate of a director or actor in the industry.
Zoya Akhtar’s insights shed light on her principled approach to mentorship, casting choices, and the nepotism discourse. As a director, She remains committed to her craft and unapologetic about her decisions. She invites the audience to be the ultimate judge of her cinematic endeavours.