Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar in Vogue
Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar in Vogue

“[When I was younger] Zoya was the only person who could see through all my bullshit. Everyone else would buy into anything I said. I used to lie quite well. And she was hugely responsible for me stopping these constant fabrications. It’s annoying as a kid, when your sister becomes a misaal of honesty.” Farhan Akhtar

The brother-sister duo that tell stories on celluloid were in conversation with Vogue India this May. They discussed what it takes to run the family business, their understanding of the urban youth and their place in the carnival-esque Hindi film industry. Some highlights:

On Their Storied Inheritance…

Zoya: [Storytelling] definitely has something to do with genetics. For a lot of people it’s alien. But when you’re growing up, and you see your parents sitting in a room and writing, or you walk in on them discussing a script, you just learn.
Farhan: Even to somehow inculcate the discipline of patience within yourself. You know there’s a thought and you’re not able to put it down. You don’t say, ‘It’s not happening so, chalo, bye-bye, see you.’ You have to actually sit there day in and day out; write, delete, write.

On Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara…

Zoya: I went to Barcelona with some girlfriends three years ago and fell in love with the city. Then, after Luck by Chance; I wanted to write this road movie. Weirdly, I’d forgotten Spain, and it was set in Mexico. Then the story developed in such a way that it needed things that only exist in Spain.
Farhan: When you see the film, you can’t imagine it anywhere but Spain. The country, the setting, everywhere we go in the film, is integral to the story and the emotional growth of each character.

On Working Together…

Farhan: I’ve worked with her as an actor in both her films, and I find that she is very specific about what she wants. Even if it’s someone doing just a one-dialogue scene, Zoya is very specific about what she wants from that person.
Zoya: I think he’s a really good dramatic actor—that’s not to say other actors are not better. They may be better actors, but I feel like I have to work with him the least. He gets me the quickest, and if I’m confusing him, he’ll tell me.
Farhan: Also, I’m available and have a flexible schedule [laughs].