Zoya: Farhan is playing a dreamer

Zoya Akhtar says her filmi lineage helped her with Luck By Chance, her directorial debut.
It���s not like rejection is anything new to directors. But first-timer Zoya Akhtar was turned down by many stars for her debut ��� Saif Ali Khan, and reportedly Madhuri Dixit Nene, Kajol and Karisma Kapur.
Not that she���s complaining about the cast she eventually put together ��� Hrithik Roshan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Isha Sharwani, Dimple Kapadia and Juhi Chawla, with brother Farhan Akhtar in the lead.���The best thing about Luck... is its cast. It comprises actors from different schools of thought and different generations,��� says Zoya.
Ask her about the several guest appearances in the film and she reveals, ���The film is a journey through the film industry ��� the way it functions, the people who inhabit it, their behaviour and attitude. The premiere parties, clubs and bars that these people go to are part of the film, so I needed a number of people for guest appearances. Even Anurag Kashyap is in two scenes.��� So, does that mean that Luck... will throw up some harsh truths about the industry? ���It���s a contemporary story set in a world desperate to escape its own reality. It���s not an expos��,��� says Zoya.
Farhan plays an aspiring actor in the film, which seems similar to the role he played in Rock On!! ���Yes, Farhan is playing a dreamer in this film too. But the characters are very different and so is the treatment. The audience will notice the difference,��� she says confidently.
For somebody who���s an established director himself, did Farhan inadvertently take over as director? ���Farhan is a very serious, thorough and hard-working boy and never interfered with my work. Also, we���d already discussed the script before we started shooting. I also gave the script to Shabana and she tweaked it,��� says Zoya.
Does she fear comparisons or expectations since she���s from a filmi family? ���Coming from an illustrious family has worked for me. People are talking about my film; being Farhan���s sister has generated interest about my film and the media is writing about it. Had I been any other new kid on the block, nobody would have cared,��� says Zoya matter-of-factly.