The filmmaker talks about his upcoming projects, the need for diversity and inclusivity in films going forward, and why including the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace will open your mind
The filmmaker talks about his upcoming projects, the need for diversity and inclusivity in films going forward, and why including the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace will open your mind
The hype about both Zoya Akhtar’s upcoming projects is worth saying the least.
The first one comes. second season of made in heavenThe hit drama revolving around the lives of two wedding planners in Delhi who come to terms with the wait of three years.
Next Up is one of the wildest inventions of Hindi cinema ever; Live-action musical adaptation of Iconic Archies comics Set in the 1960s, with many new Indian actors, which has created a lot of curiosity.
Along with her co-working partner Reema Kagti, the two run the production company Tiger Baby Films – Zoya’s immense impact on the Indian film scene cannot be denied, as with her directorial debut luck by chance in 2009.
with movies like ZNMD, Dil Dhadakne Do And Gully BoyThe NYU graduates – from one of India’s most prestigious film families – have been instrumental in bringing Bollywood into a modern-day progressive space, with characters and story that resonate with a new generation of film-goers across the country.
Recently, the filmmaker took the stage at Procter & Gamble India’s #WeSeeEqual summit, where he shared insights on ‘shaping today’s generation for an equal tomorrow’ along with other prominent personalities and advocates.
Excerpts from an e-mail interview with Zoya, on the sidelines of the summit, about the importance of on-screen representation and behind-the-scenes in breaking prejudices, breaking stereotypes in her films, and more:
Have you always been interested in the idea of a homegrown version of Archie, Betty, Ron and the team?
i’m shooting right now Archies As a feature film, and is expected to be out next year. I’m excited to have the opportunity to bring comics to life; They were a big part of my childhood and adolescence. The characters are iconic and loved globally, which is why I’m a little nervous too. I have to make sure that the film relives the nostalgia of a generation that grew up on the comic, and still resonates with today’s young adults.
There are high hopes for the second season of made in heaven, How was it to re-watch the play?
We recently finished shooting and are editing it now; It should be out soon. We had a lot of fun creating, writing, shooting and producing these projects and are now looking forward to releasing them. We also have another show called roar which will be out soon.
You are known as one of the progressive voices in Indian cinema. After a decade in the industry, do you feel a sense of responsibility with what you create on screen?
On-screen representation is important, because in our country at least movies are the biggest and probably the only form of pop-culture that we have. It is very important that we see ourselves represented in our popular culture; To know that we exist in this context, and that we exist in this society. Only when we see ourselves represented do we feel normal and a part of the fabric?
I was born and brought up in India, but I come from a corner of this society. If I don’t see someone like me out there, there’s no paradigm for me and I’m going to feel isolated. I would feel alone, like I don’t belong or fit in. I would see myself as an anomaly – but I am not – so many women like me.
Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti of Tiger Baby Films
Only when we see ourselves represented do we feel normal and a part of the fabric. So representation is of the utmost importance, and it can only happen if it is diverse or inclusive; Because that’s how societies are — they’re not homogenous.
On her experience at the #WeSeeEqual summit:
As a corporate in power, P&G talks with #WeSeeEqual on a very relevant topic: gender
It’s nice to be with like-minded people, and they’re not just sitting there talking about problems… they’re actually creating solutions. They are going there, making that effort, putting their money where their mouth is, and there is a need for consciousness in this society.
I think politics and value systems – as a company – have to be a special way, and you have to care about growing something and making a change. And I mean, kudos!
There has been a lot of talk about the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in Bollywood both on-screen and off-screen, but do you believe there has been a tangible change?
Of course, including the LGBTQIA+ community in your workspace will open your mind. In any kind of work – let’s take a business like mine – where we’re telling stories to a huge audience, the more diversity we have, the more people we reach.
The more ideas and perspectives we have, the more people we connect with. Sticking to just one kind of person reduces your chances of communicating with a large crowd. It is not because of kindness or charity that we need to involve different communities; It really is a smart business decision to have variety in your office or space.
We need to represent them more in stories and empower people to come up with their own stories in my business. I want to put more LGBTQ stories out there, and there are more LGBTQ actors out there.
At the end of the day, it is a certain orientation or choice of the individual. But we are all human and equal; What is my choice and what is not is irrelevant. This is just one aspect of me, and that aspect cannot define man. We need to be able to break it down and find the similarities that exist between people.
A few years ago, Frances McDormand’s speech at the Oscars brought to light the concept of an inclusion rider that would provide a determined diversity of casting and production staff. Do you think Indian cinema can ever offer such an idea?
When I was 19-20 years old, I came very early on the set as an assistant director. I come from a place where there was no concept of a superior-inferior agenda; My brother and I were raised completely equally. I was not accustomed to any gender bias, nor did I have any prior experience of sexism. When I entered the room, I was at par in my head and in my behavior.
I think when you don’t wear your penis on your sleeve, that kind of reaction creates its own reaction to you. Also, people knew my family so I feel I didn’t face any kind of harassment.
When I started directing ( luck by chance), my brother was my lead actor, and he was already an established filmmaker. So, I had some technicians ask him if the shot was okay, and he had to be like, He is director. I took a Steadicam operator to the side and said, ‘I don’t think we can work together if you don’t talk to me.’ And he (the cameraman) replied, ‘But you are like my sister.’ I said, ‘I am not your sister, I am your master!’ We became friends later, as it was a no-rage chat.
Zoya and Farhan Akhtar | photo credit: Rajeev Bhatt
Representation is when your identity or personality is validated in any type of popular culture. It’s not just women; Other communities, the disabled, and even men, are at times badly represented. In the 80s and 90s you never saw tenderness, you never saw consent. But we had scenes of molestation. Which affects the psyche of the nation. You’ve seen women who had no right to express how they felt, and that definitely made a difference. So how you are represented is important, because people need to know that they are not alone.