Zoya's 'Luck By Chance' is a well crafted debut

Luck By Chance
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Farhan Akhtar, Rishi Kapoor
Rating: *** and 1/2 *

Right from the opening credits over the track Yeh zindagi hai, writer-director Zoya Akhtar has you captivated. You know you are in for an insightful and somewhat satirical ride into the Hindi film world.

Through the story of two struggling actors, Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Vikram (Farhan Akhtar), Luck By Chance examines how, besides talent and hard work, fate plays a pivotal part in making or breaking fortunes. Vikram thinks on his feet and will take chances in order to get his big break. Sona, on the other hand, patiently trundles along waiting for promises to be kept, even at the cost of broken heart.

Fantasy and reality are neatly juxtaposed to depict the stark differences between life on and off a film set. Producer Romy Rolly and his wife, played by Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla respectively are truly inspired. Dimple Kapadia as Neena Wallia is electric. This film is cameo capital! You cannot turn a scene without bumping into a star, but it is the sequencing of their appearances which is a masterstroke. Hrithik Roshan as superstar Zaffar Khan is extremely good. Zoya struggled for seven years to get this movie made. It took some luck finding the lead actor in her brother. But the wait was worth it.