"I have an empathy for strugglers'

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

• Discount UK Shopping

Related Articles

Jodhaa, A Wednesday sweep 'Star Screen awards'Genelia was the best thing about Jaane Tu..: Abbas'I missed Birbal in Jodha Akbar'

: Zoya Akhtar’s debut film Luck by Chance is an insider view of Bollywood, warts and all, but what shines through is her empathy for strugglers. “I’ve been through it… I know what it is to wait,” says Zoya, explaining the character of Sona, played beautifully by Konkona Sen Sharma, who arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming a film star. Zoya Akhtar had to wait several years before her film could reach the screen and had approached six stars to play the role of Vikram, another struggler. The role ultimately went to director, producer, singer, actor and brother Farhan Akhtar, who showed his remarkable acting skill in Anand Surapur’s The Fakir of Venice before Rock On!! made him the star. If Luck by Chance appeals not least because of the delicious details that Zoya carefully etches into the film, we have seen it in Farhan Akhtar productions like Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya where she assisted her brother. The film may not be drawing the crowds yet, but it’s a slice of Bollywood no one should want to miss. Excerpts from an interview:

How true to life, er Bollywood, are the characters of Sona and Vikram?

I understand what’s happening to Sona who’s dreaming to be a film star. The waiting period is very tedious, I have been through it, I know. I have also been a casting director and I have seen lots of wannabe actors, actresses, some would come up and ask for the form to be filled because they didn’t speak English. Yes, I have an empathy for strugglers. It’s hard for people coming in to Bollywood. Reema [Kagti] who directed Honeymoon Travels comes from Assam and it wasn’t easy. But eventually, if you work hard, it will show.

You have also had a fair share of struggle?

Oh yes. For the role of Vikram, I approached six people to play it. Farhan never thought he would act but then we would often talk about the script at home and I finally asked him to play Vikram. I had decided to give him the role before watching his performance in Rock On!!

You are an avid world cinema watcher… and we see bits of that in your film…

I wasn’t doing an obvious tribute to world cinema greats. But I do watch a lot of movies and I guess I have imbibed some of it through the years.