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From Imraan Qureshi to Kabir Mehra, the most memorable characters from Zoya Akhtar films
Updated On: 14 October, 2025 02:32 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar
Zoya Akhtar has directed eight films throughout her nearly two-decade-long career. On her birthday today, we take a look at some of the most memorable characters in her films that have stayed with the audience long after its release
01
02.jpeg "Murad Ahmed (Ranveer Singh) in Gully Boy (2019)
The underdog rapper from Dharavi whose raw talent and suppressed rage make him a symbol of voice and rebellion — arguably Zoya’s most iconic creation")
Murad Ahmed (Ranveer Singh) in Gully Boy (2019)
The underdog rapper from Dharavi whose raw talent and suppressed rage make him a symbol of voice and rebellion — arguably Zoya’s most iconic creation
03.jpg "Safeena Firdausi (Alia Bhatt) in Gully Boy
Murad’s fiery, possessive girlfriend whose intensity, loyalty, and emotional outbursts stole the show. Though limited screentime, Alia shone with her performance in this fiesty role")
Safeena Firdausi (Alia Bhatt) in Gully Boy
Murad’s fiery, possessive girlfriend whose intensity, loyalty, and emotional outbursts stole the show. Though limited screentime, Alia shone with her performance in this fiesty role
04.jpg "Moeen (Vijay Varma) in Gully Boy
The morally ambiguous friend — both loyal and destructive — representing the harsh realities of Murad’s world")
Moeen (Vijay Varma) in Gully Boy
The morally ambiguous friend — both loyal and destructive — representing the harsh realities of Murad’s world
05.jpg "MC Sher (Siddhant Chaturvedi) in Gully Boy
The charismatic mentor who believes in Murad’s potential and inspires him to rise. Siddhant stood out with his fierce screen presence and was one of the most talked about characters")
MC Sher (Siddhant Chaturvedi) in Gully Boy
The charismatic mentor who believes in Murad’s potential and inspires him to rise. Siddhant stood out with his fierce screen presence and was one of the most talked about characters
06.jpeg "Ayesha Mehra (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
The ambitious daughter fighting for respect in a patriarchal family — poised, graceful, and quietly defiant")
Ayesha Mehra (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) in Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
The ambitious daughter fighting for respect in a patriarchal family — poised, graceful, and quietly defiant
07
Kabir Mehra (Ranveer Singh) in Dil Dhadakne Do
The free-spirited son who rebels against family hypocrisy, balancing vulnerability and charm
08.jpg "Kamal & Neelam Mehra (Anil Kapoor & Shefali Shah) in Dil Dhadakne Do
A power couple masking their dysfunctional marriage behind luxury and social standing — painfully real and brilliantly performed")
Kamal & Neelam Mehra (Anil Kapoor & Shefali Shah) in Dil Dhadakne Do
A power couple masking their dysfunctional marriage behind luxury and social standing — painfully real and brilliantly performed
09.jpg "Kabir Dewan (Abhay Deol) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
The practical yet emotionally repressed groom-to-be who learns to confront his fears and redefine success and happiness")
Kabir Dewan (Abhay Deol) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
The practical yet emotionally repressed groom-to-be who learns to confront his fears and redefine success and happiness
10
Imraan Qureshi (Farhan Akhtar) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
A poet with hidden pain and humour, Imraan’s emotional journey and poetic monologues (“Toh Zinda Ho Tum...”) made him unforgettable
11.jpg "Arjun Saluja (Hrithik Roshan) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
The workaholic who discovers life beyond deadlines — his underwater diving scene remains one of Zoya’s most moving visual metaphors")
Arjun Saluja (Hrithik Roshan) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
The workaholic who discovers life beyond deadlines — his underwater diving scene remains one of Zoya’s most moving visual metaphors
12.jpg "Laila (Katrina Kaif) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
The free-spirited diving instructor who inspires Arjun to embrace life and love")
Laila (Katrina Kaif) in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
The free-spirited diving instructor who inspires Arjun to embrace life and love
13.jpg "Vikram Jaisingh (Farhan Akhtar) in Luck By Chance (2009)
The outsider who navigates ambition and compromise in the film industry — a nuanced take on fame and self-worth.")
Vikram Jaisingh (Farhan Akhtar) in Luck By Chance (2009)
The outsider who navigates ambition and compromise in the film industry — a nuanced take on fame and self-worth.
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