Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Zoya Akhtar discusses how film representation affects a nation’s psychology

Zoya Akhtar

Zoya Akhtar spoke candidly on the significance of representation in film, pointing out that even males are frequently misrepresented in films.

In an interview with The Hindu, the Gully Boy filmmaker stated that how we portray diverse characters in films has an impact on the nation’s mindset.

“Representation is when your identity or personality is affirmed in any form of popular culture,” she told the publication. It’s not just women; other cultures, impairments, and even males are frequently misrepresented.”

“You never saw tenderness or consent in the 1980s and 1990s.” But there were molestation moments. That has an impact on a nation’s mindset,” Zoya remarked.

“You witnessed ladies who had no right to voice how they felt, and that absolutely makes a difference,” she added. So how you portray is critical, because people need to feel they are not alone.”

The filmmaker went on: “I was born and raised in India, but I came from a different social class. If I don’t see somebody who looks like me out there, there is no paradigm for me, and I will feel alienated. I’ll feel alone, as if I don’t belong or fit in. I’ll see myself as an outlier, but I’m not; there are many women like me.

Zoya stated she is concerned about her next film The Archies, which is based on the Archie Comics, because the characters are legendary and beloved worldwide.

“I have to make sure the picture evokes the nostalgia of a generation that grew up on the comic while still speaking to young folks today,” she stated.

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