“Who Are You To Tell Me What To Do With My Money?”- Zoya Akhtar’s Take on Nepotism.

Zoya Akhtar, the acclaimed filmmaker, recently shared her perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding nepotism in the film industry. Her latest film release the teen musical comedy - "The Archies," made its debut on Netflix, featuring the first foray into acting for star kids Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, along with four other newcomers Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi Saigal and Yuvraj Menda.

During a conversation with Juggernaut, Zoya addressed the nepotism discussion stating  
“I think it is about privilege, access, and social capital. I completely understand having anger or frustration at the fact that you do not have the access some people get so easily. That is a conversation to be had. Everyone needs to have the same kind of education, job opportunities, etc.”

Zoya stated that true nepotism occurs when the public or audience is used to favor friends and family. Defending her position, she asserted, "Nepotism cannot be when I take my own money! Who are you to tell me what to do with my money? It's my money!" She highlighted the audience's role in determining the success of a director or actor, stating that viewers ultimately decide whether they want to support and engage with their work.

The filmmaker urged people to focus on fundamental issues such as equal education and job opportunities rather than solely criticizing the film industry. Zoya acknowledged the deeper roots of the problem but expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the current conversation in bringing about meaningful change. She mentioned this by saying ““May be the film industry has become a symbol of it to some level, but I think what people need to ask for is what they really want. Better school, better education? By denying someone a career of their choice, that’s not going to make anything better for you. So I understand that to the root of it there is something but just this conversation is not taking it anywhere. It is not changing anything.”

"The Archies," hit Netflix on December 7, aiming to give viewers a nostalgic trip. This Indian film is based on the famous American comic book series set in the fictional town of Riverdale. It brings to life beloved characters like Archie, Veronica, Betty, Reggie, Dilton, Jughead, and Big Ethel in a 1960s hill town. Zoya Akhtar, the director, shared with PTI, "Fans want to relive the past, go back in time, and feel that familiarity. But for today's generation, who might not have read the comics, we needed to create something that keeps them engaged. We took themes that matter to Gen Z and blended them with nostalgia to make the film appealing to everyone."