Zoya Akhtar Biography: Movies, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Husband

Zoya Akhtar is a prominent Indian filmmaker known for her work in Hindi cinema and television series.

After earning a diploma in filmmaking from New York University, Zoya began her career by assisting renowned directors like Mira Nair. In 2009, she made her directorial debut with Luck By Chance.

Her breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Director.

She followed this success with other notable films, such as Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and the internationally celebrated Gully Boy (2019), establishing herself as one of Bollywood’s leading directors.

Profile

• Full Name: Zoya Akhtar
• Stage Name: Zoya Akhtar
• Born: October 14 1972
• Age: 52 years old
• Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian filmmaker
• Height: 1.6 m
• Parents: Javed Akhtar, Honey Irani
• Siblings: Farhan Akhtar
• Spouse: Unknown  
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life And Education

Zoya Akhtar was born on October 14, 1972, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, into a prominent family with strong ties to the entertainment and literary worlds.

She is the daughter of celebrated poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani. Her stepmother is the renowned actress Shabana Azmi, and her younger brother, Farhan Akhtar, is a well-known actor and director.

Zoya attended Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School and later earned her Bachelor of Arts from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. She then studied film production at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she honed her filmmaking skills.

She is of Indian descent and has roots in Urdu literature. She is the granddaughter of renowned poet Jan Nisar Akhtar and the great-granddaughter of Urdu poet Muztar Khairabadi.

Career

Zoya Akhtar, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, began her journey in the film industry after pursuing a diploma in filmmaking from New York University. She entered the industry in the late 1990s, assisting prominent directors such as Mira Nair, a phase that helped her develop a distinctive voice in filmmaking.

Akhtar’s early career also included co-directing a music video, Price of Bullets, for the rock band Pentagram and working as a casting director on films like Split Wide Open (1999) and the iconic Dil Chahta Hai (2001).

Additionally, she served as an assistant director on her brother Farhan Akhtar’s films Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya (2004), establishing a strong foundation in various facets of filmmaking. Her role as an executive producer for Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007) further refined her project management skills.

Zoya Akhtar made her directorial debut with Luck By Chance (2009), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director. However, her 2011 film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara truly solidified her as a leading filmmaker.

The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it won her the Filmfare Award for Best Director. This was followed by other notable projects, such as Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and the musical drama Gully Boy (2019), which garnered widespread international recognition.

Gully Boy also earned her a second Filmfare Award for Best Director, further cementing her reputation as a filmmaker of significant caliber. In addition to her feature films, Zoya Akhtar has expanded her reach to television with the acclaimed streaming series Made in Heaven (2019–2023) and Dahaad (2023).

She also ventured into a live-action adaptation of The Archies, which premiered on Netflix in December 2023. The film, starring debutants like Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, and Suhana Khan, received mixed reviews from critics.

Aside from her directorial ventures, Zoya has appeared in various media engagements, including a brief role in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) and a conversation with Jeff Bezos alongside her brother Farhan Akhtar in 2020. Her body of work demonstrates her versatility and innovation as a filmmaker.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @zoieakhtar
• Facebook handle: Zoya Akhtar
• Twitter handle: @ZoyaAkhtarOff

Personal Life

Zoya Akhtar, the renowned Indian filmmaker, is single and candidly shared her perspective on relationships. During a recent appearance on a talk show, she expressed that she does not wish to be in a relationship to avoid loneliness, underscoring her desire for genuine connections rather than settling for societal expectations.

Filmography

As a Director:

• Luck by Chance (2009)
• Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
• Bombay Talkies (2013)
• Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
• Lust Stories (2018)
• Gully Boy (2019)
• Ghost Stories (2020)
• The Archies (2023)

As a Writer:

• Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012)
• Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023)

As a Producer:

• Made in Heaven (2019-2023) (TV Series)
• Dahaad (2023) (TV Series)
• Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (2022) (TV Series)
• Superboys of Malegaon (2024)

Net Worth

Zoya Akhtar’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $10 million, reflecting her successful career as a director, producer, and screenwriter in the Indian film industry.

Known for her critically acclaimed films such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, and Gully Boy, her wealth stems from her extensive work in filmmaking, which includes directing, writing, and producing a variety of highly regarded films and projects.