She is Javed Akhtar's daughter, Farhan Akhtar's sister and a writer herself. Inspite of being a creative person as the core Zoya Akhtar dons the mantle of a producer for the Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.
Just before her film's release, Zoya talks to Komal Mehta about the film, her writing and future plans for their production house, Excel.
What is Honeymoon Travels about?
It is about a package honeymoon to Goa. There are 6 couples going for that honeymoon. It basically talks about the different relationships 2 people can have and about how one should never be judgemental about why people are together.
Why did you decide to produce the movie instead of directing it?
Firstly, because I've known Reema for sometime. She has also worked with Farhan. She is my best friend and I've been with her on this movie since the scripting stage. So it was a good script and we decided to produce it. Also I've never really directed anything myself.
Was it tough handling such a large cast?
No it wasn't. Actually, managing huge starcasts is always tough, but we were very lucky that we didn't really have any problems. We had the coolest cast, who were happy to be with each other. I think everyone knew it was a small film and didn't really have issues of any sort. They were all like a part of the crew.
What is the worst part about being the producer of a movie?
Well, it's a thankless job. No matter how many things/problems you solve there are more just waiting to be addressed. Also ours is a low budget film, and we didn't really have money to throw at a problem, so it was tough.
What about the casting of the film? How did that happen? The casting of Kaykay and Amisha is quite interesting.
Reema already had Amisha, Shabana and Boman in mind when she started out. The rest of the casting happened the way all casting happens. Amisha in this movie is very different from all her other movies, you must watch out for her. The same goes for Kaykay.
How did you come to choose Vikram Chatwal for a role?
Yeah, that was interesting. We needed an NRI actor who had an American accent and who was also Asian and who would be willing to work in a movie that was not very mainstream. Vikram fit the bill. He liked Reema a lot when he met her and he thought the script was pretty funky.
Honeymoon Travels is your production house's first movie with an outside director. Does that make you nervous?
See I think we are nervous about every movie before it's release, irrespective of who has directed the movie. Honeymoon Travels is a movie made on a small budget and which we hopefully feel people will be interested in watching. The music of the movie by Vishal-Shekhar is very good, and that has helped generate an interest in the movie.
As a production house what does Excel want to do? Are you open to working with outside directors?
Well, we want to make movies that are mainstream and still different, in some way. We are absolutely open to working with outside directors. But the criteria for working with outside directors would be the script they have, the kind of vision they have. Also, if someone has done any work before, that would be indicative of their talent. Apart from that, what kind of movie they want to make, what are their interests, etc, would also count.
You've been a lyricist, actor, director, writer, and now producer. What other aspect of filmmaking do you still want to explore?
Don't remind me about the acting bit. It was pretty inconsequential (Zoya did a bit role in Mira Nair's Kamasutra). They just needed people for that scene and I was made to stand there.
Writing is my main interest; it is where my heart is. I always want to continue writing. Apart from that, I enjoy casting and hopefully want to direct too.
Are you talking about Luck by Chance that you were slated to direct?
Yeah, that and Kismet Talkies.
So both of them are happening in the near future?
Hopefully.
Your production has Farhan, Ritesh, you, your father, mother and even Shabana Azmi. Give us an insight into how you have your entire 'creatively-inclined family' contribute to any movie you'll make?
Well, everyone in my family is a writer. There is a big contribution on the script level by everyone. Farhan and Ritesh are the producers, so there is no movie without them. Apart from that, Shabana and my mom are not a part of the production house. They're just family.
Does Farhan give you any production/direction tips? Tell us about them.
Tips? He is the main producer! He does the job of producing. He will be there for comments and suggestions but otherwise he just lets you be. You get all the creative freedom with Farhan and Ritesh as producers. With Reema's film, they are not even there on the sets.
As for directing tips, I haven't directed as yet.
Does the fact that your father, mother, brother are so popularly established in their respective work areas, ever weigh you down?
No. There is no increase/decrease of expectation for me. And in a way, I think it's better if people are interested in you.
