Zoya Akhtar: Lesser known facts about the Gully Boy filmmaker

1. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

2. Not many know but the filmmaker also had a small appearance in filmmaker Mira Nair's iconic film, 'Salaam Bombay', as a dancer.

3. She was the assistant director for 'Dil Chahta Hai' (2001), and 'Lakshya' (2004).

4. She made her directorial debut with 'Luck By Chance' starring Farhan Akhtar, Rishi Kapoor, Konkana Sen Sharma, Saif Ali Khan Hritik Roshan and others. The film was a box-office failure but over the years, it has acquired a cult status as an outstanding film that was ahead of its time.

5. She started her career by co-directing a music video called 'Price of Bullets' for one of India's pioneering rock acts, Pentagram.

6. She went to NYU to pursue a diploma in filmmaking. After receiving her degree, she chose to assist filmmakers Mira Nair, Tony Gerber and Dev Benegal.

7. Her upcoming film 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' starring Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday and Adarsh Gaurav, is expected to release in 2023. The film will highlight the toxicity of social media in the lives of today's youth.