Updated on: 11 October, 2023 04:45 PM IST |Shreyas Pande
![films zoya akhtar worked on before her debut](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoyacover_d.jpg)
Many of you know Zoya Akhtars first debut film as a director to be Luck By Chance (2009). Before Zoya made her first film Luck By Chance in 2009, she worked with many other filmmakers to gain the necessary experience. Here are 5 films she worked in before making her direction debut.
![Zoya Akhtar assited multiple filmmakers as she graduated from college](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoya01111023_d.jpg)
1) Split Wide Open
After graudating from film school in New York, Zoya Akhtar assisted filmmaker Dev Benegal for his 1999 film Split Wide Open. It was his second film that rose to critical acclaim.
![Zoya played a small role in the Mira Nair film](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoya02111023_d.jpg)
2) Kamasutra: A Tale of Love
Apart from Dev Benegal, Zoya also assisted Mira Nair on multiple films including Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996). Along with that, she played the role of a courtesan in 16th century India.
Also read: Zoya Akhtar: Lesser known facts about the Gully Boy filmmaker
![Zoya Akhtar assisted brother Farhan Akhtar for his debut film, Dil Chahta Hai](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoya03111023_d.jpg)
3) Dil Chahta Hai
In the year 2001, she assisted her younger brother Farhan Akhtar for his debut film Dil Chahta Hai which changed Indian cinema forever.
![Then, she further assisted him on his 2004 film Lakshya.](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoya04111023_d.jpg)
4) Lakshya
Written by their father Javed Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar further assisted Farhan in this war drama. It starred Hritik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan and Boman Irani.
![Zoya Akhtar was the executive producer of this film.](https://middaycdn.s.llnwi.net/Radiocity-images/images/uploads/gallery-zoya05111023_d.jpg)
5) Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
At last, she was the executive producer for this film directed by Reema Kagti with whom she would make many successful collaborations in future.
Also read: Five Contemporary Women Directors to Watch out For