📌 Key Points
- Zoya Akhtar predicts a resurgence of romantic films in Hindi cinema due to cyclical trends.
- She prioritizes instinctive writing over following industry trends.
- Akhtar shared a vague update on the potential ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ sequel, promising an announcement if it happens.
- Zoya has adopted a structured writing approach, beginning with detailed story outlines.
Zoya Akhtar anticipates a comeback for love stories in Hindi cinema. She also touched upon the possibility of a ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ sequel, emphasizing her preference for instinctive writing and a structured creative process.
Romance Revival in Bollywood?
Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar believes romantic films could soon return to the forefront of Hindi cinema, as storytelling trends tend to cycle. According to her, genres often go through phases of saturation before audiences rediscover their appeal, which is why she feels love stories may be due for a revival.
“See, I don’t function that way. Like, I don’t know, ‘Oh, now they’re looking for this, so let me write this.’ I don’t think that way. But if you look at it over the past 10, 15 years, it changes. Everything gets saturated, everything changes. So, I mean, if you look at it cyclically, maybe love stories will come back,” she said.
Zoya’s Creative Process Revealed
The filmmaker, known for projects such as Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Gully Boy, emphasised that she prefers writing from instinct rather than trying to anticipate what the industry is looking for at any given time. The session, conducted by veteran screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, featured an in-depth conversation with Zoya about her career choices and creative process. During the discussion, she also shared updates on the projects she is currently working on.
During the interaction, Zoya was also asked about the long-standing buzz around a possible sequel to Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Responding with a smile, the filmmaker chose not to reveal much, saying that any official update would only come when the time is right. For now, she maintained that there is nothing to announce and added that if a sequel ever takes shape, it will be shared publicly. “When it happens, I’ll announce it,” she said.
‘Zindagi 2’: Any Updates?
Since then, Zoya said she has adopted a more structured approach to writing. She now begins with a detailed outline of the story and refines it before expanding it into a full screenplay, a process that helps her keep the script focused and manageable.
Several members of the Screenwriters Association were present at the session, including writers Manisha Korde, Mitesh Shah, lyricist Ginny Diwan and Siddhant Makkar. The discussion offered aspiring writers a closer look at Zoya’s storytelling philosophy and her evolving approach to screenwriting.
Zoya Akhtar’s insights offer a peek into her creative process and her anticipation for the future of Bollywood. While a ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ sequel remains uncertain, her structured approach signals exciting future projects.
