Zoya Akhtar's 'Gully Boy' Wins Best Asian Film Award At BIFAN

Gully Boy is winning a lot of appreciation and love, as on Sunday Zoya Akhtar received the Best Asian Film award for it at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). She was also bestowed with the NETPAC award for her latest directorial venture Gully Boy as the Best Asian Film this year.

The film stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles and was featured under newer genres and varied stories of comedy, fantasy and drama. Akhtar says she is grateful for the recognition, saying, “When we make films we hope as many people see them. We hope the story travels far and wide because in doing so it only makes the world smaller. We see the differences. We experience cultures unlike ours and understanding these differences bring us closer.”

“We see similarities, we see the common ground of humanity and we recognise our own spirit in another which also brings us closer. To have 'Gully Boy' recognised by BIFAN and by NETPAC is such a tremendous honour. One that me and my crew will always be grateful for,” Akhtar said in a statement.

Last week, Akhtar added another feather to her cap as Oscars Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited her to become a member. With this she became one of the Indian names to be invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) as a member of the institution, which conducts Academy Awards.

Last week, Akhtar added another feather to her cap as Oscars Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited her to become a member. With this she became one of the Indian names to be invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) as a member of the institution, which conducts Academy Awards.

Zoya’s father and lyricist, Javed Akhtar took to Twitter to acknowledging her accomplishment and wrote, “I am sure that fellow Indians will be happy and proud to know that my daughter Zoya Akhtar who is a well-known writer-director has been offered the membership of Oscar Academy which is rare honour.”

ALSO READ: How Zoya Akhtar’s Filmography Has Come Full Circle With ‘Gully Boy’

Her brother and fellow filmmaker Farhan Akhtar also congratulated her by tweeting, “Congratulations Zoya Akhtar .. well deserved .. happy for you and proud of you.”

Read More Stories By Ria Das