Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar confirms working on the crime mafia film. She also talked about her father Javed Akhtar, and his former screenwriting partner, Salim Khan’s style of writing. The Archies director is currently busy with the promotions of the docu-drama series, Angry Young Men. During a recent interview, the renowned filmmaker also revealed how her father’s work has influenced their work.

In a recent chat with Indian Express, Zoya Akhtar was queried about the reports suggesting her plans to make a gangster film after The Archies that would reflect the writing of Salim-Javed. In her response, the filmmaker confirmed the same, stating that she has been working on the script.

She said, “I am working on the crime-mafia film! I am working on the script right now. So fingers crossed, that it comes to something, some heft!”

In addition to this, the filmmaker also explained how she has been inspired by Salim-Javed’s work. The filmmaker made her directorial debut with Luck By Chance in 2009 which starred her brother Farhan Akhtar. Elucidating her point, Zoya revealed that the characters of legendary writers weren’t “black and white” and had obscurity, including their hero.

Upon being asked if there were specific learnings from the works of Salim-Javed, the filmmaker highlighted how their characters had a certain shade of gray. Not everything fits in quite well, which also translates in her work.

Admitting her characters aren’t completely black or white, she said, “The fact that they (Salim-Javed) didn’t resort to cheap tricks, they weren’t vulgar ever. That has influenced our work. There was also respect for the ensemble. Even if it is a one-scene character, it should have a certain charm and resonance. Those things have come from them.”

Akhtar further added that Salim-Javed’s world was male-oriented, but even within that, they portrayed women with agency. She further pointed out how those characters would respond to stronger women. Even in the male-led stories, “none of the women were props” she said, highlighting how they all had something to do in the film. “They all had jobs, even if it wasn’t explored, there was an identity in them,” she said.

During the conversation, she went on to recall how her brother Farhan Akhtar noticed Parveen Babi’s character in Deewaar was of a night worker. However, there was poise in that relationship and the way they were treated. According to Zoya, the legendary writers never decided to do this, but it “came originally” to them.

Furthermore, Angry Young Men director Namrata Rao revealed that their upcoming docu-drama series explores the gender dynamics in Salim Javed’s writing. She added that both of them today are honest in admitting having messed up with the depiction of women as well.

She disclosed that they have gone into the nitty-gritty of it in the series, but there were things the legendary writers were unaware of. They have this self-reflection as they confess to might have written the character of Geeta differently. Explaining her point, she shared how Akhtar pointed out that when Geeta goes to Seeta’s house and aspires to stitch and cook like Seeta, he would never write such a thing today.

 “Why would Geeta want to do that? She is great the way she is. He said, ‘tab hume pata he nahi tha (we didn’t know it then)”, but I would never do that now,” she shared.

Angry Young Men will start streaming on Amazon Prime Video from Aug 20.

Amitabh Bachchan has said it once and for all for people constantly asking him the reason for continuing to work at 81. The veteran star who has been active in showbiz for the last 55 years recently penned a long blog addressing those who have been hovering to know his purpose of being employed. Big B started his blog by saying he has no particular answer for this question except the fact that “It’s another job opportunity for me .. what else could possibly be the reason.”

The veteran actor further asserted that others might have their own assessment of occasions and conditions to work or not. Senior Bachchan then advised them to step into his shoes and find out whether their opinions were right or wrong. “You have the liberty to have your conclusions and I have the liberty of my work,” Big B said.

Amitabh Bachchan didn’t stop here and weaved more words into his cryptic post. He acknowledged the fact that his reason may not agree with many but he has heard what people have to say because everyone has the right to express. The Agneepath actor added, “You said, I heard, I gave reason for working on .. that is me… what reason I have is mine .. enclosed shuttered and locked.”