‘Natasha is not the villain’: Zoya Akhtar breaks silence on Kalki Koechlin’s character in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ |

Marking 15 years since it first hit theatres, Zoya Akhtar‘s ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ recently came up in an interview where the director broke her silence on Kalki Koechlin‘s character Natasha. She was seen as the one who spoiled everyone’s fun in the film, but fans today feel she did nothing wrong, she simply spoke her mind and had a fair reason to go to Spain to check on her fiancé Kabir, played by Abhay Deol. Zoya shared that Natasha was “clear-headed” and always sure of what she wanted, whereas Kabir was the one unable to match her, which led to their split.

Zoya Akhtar on Natasha being treated “badly”

In conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, when Zoya was questioned about treating Natasha “badly,” she responded, “You can look at it any whichever way you want. I have guys who tell me that your women are always clear about what they want and the men are always confused, which is kind of true.” Drawing a comparison to Katrina Kaif‘s character Laila, Zoya pointed out that both women shared a clarity about their desires. “Natasha wants to get married, she wants to have a life, she doesn’t want to work, she wants to do these things, but those things are freaking him out. That doesn’t mean it’s bad. He is getting freaked out. He doesn’t know if he is ready for it and it doesn’t pan out,” she said and then added, “And, no one lands at a bachelor trip. So I guess that part, they find that weird. I don’t. I find her extremely charming and extremely cute.”Asked whether she considered Kalki’s Natasha to be the film’s vamp, Zoya was firm in her response: “Not at all.” She went on to point out that Natasha remains part of the group’s life, which is evident from her presence at Laila (Katrina) and Arjun’s (Hrithik Roshan) wedding. “If she was the villain, she wouldn’t be there at the end. She is there at the end because they did like her. She is a part of the gang. But it just didn’t work out and the timing wasn’t right, and who knows what happens with them later,” she said.

Zoya Akhtar compares Natasha to Dil Chahta Hai’s Subodh

Comparing Natasha with Subodh from ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, Zoya noted that both characters are “particular in their own way,” which may not have suited their partners at the time. “She is very clear-headed. She is cool about what she wants. It just doesn’t align with him,” she said. Making it clear that she stands by Natasha, Zoya went on, “I love Natasha. I find her charming. She is beautiful, she is gorgeous, she is an aesthete, she is talented. She just wants certain things out of her life that don’t align with Kabir and obviously some things go off for a break-up to happen.”In the film, Natasha mistakes the ring Kabir bought for his mother as a proposal for herself. Kabir, meanwhile, is left unnerved by her willingness to quit her job so soon after marriage. His discomfort grows further when she tells him his boys’ trips will come to an end once they’re wed. Yet Natasha never hides her expectations of married life, she’s simply honest about them, and is left surprised when she learns that Laila and Nuria have ended up on the boys’ trip, having crossed paths with them by chance in Spain.

Zoya Akhtar confirms a sequel is in the works

In the same interview, Zoya revealed that a sequel is currently in the works. “We are on it,” she said, adding, “We don’t know what will happen and what won’t. If we will get to a place where it feels correct, in catching up with these characters today. But it will be nice.”

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’s star cast

The film also featured Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar, Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah in key roles.