Zoya Akhtar: Not writing roles for actors anymore

A couple of years ago, Zoya Akhtar had spoken about writing parts with actors in mind or associating a role to certain actors. But now the imagery has changed entirely asserts Zoya. During a masterclass at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, she spoke about breaking the mental barriers that compel a writer to write parts with actors in mind. 

The Dil Dhadakne Do director said, “It took me seven years to make my first film (Luck By Chance) and six actors said no to it. That film couldn’t be made on the budget with a certain leading man. Back then, there were no grey areas. Some were clear that they didn’t want to play a morally ambivalent part and others didn’t get it either. I have moved on from this notion that I can only cast one certain actor in a role. Gully Boy is my first film where I got a yes from all my actors in the first go. I’m here to make films so now I’m not latched onto this association that I wrote this role for a particular actor.”