Zoya Akhtar Dispels "Villain" Label for Kalki Koechlin’s Natasha in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,’ Confirms Sequel
Mumbai, India – As Zoya Akhtar’s critically acclaimed road trip drama ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ celebrates its 15th anniversary, the director has finally broken her silence on the long-debated character of Natasha, played by Kalki Koechlin. For years, Natasha has been perceived by some audiences as the antagonist who disrupted the film’s joyful camaraderie. However, a growing number of fans, and now Akhtar herself, contend that Natasha was simply a woman with clear desires, whose honesty was often misunderstood.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Akhtar addressed the accusations of treating Natasha "badly," stating, "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."
Akhtar firmly refuted the notion of Natasha being the film’s "vamp," drawing parallels between her and Katrina Kaif’s character, Laila, in their shared clarity of purpose. "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," Akhtar explained. She further 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."
Akhtar highlighted Natasha’s enduring presence in the characters’ lives, pointing out her appearance at Laila 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 mused.
The director drew a compelling comparison between Natasha and Subodh from the cult classic ‘Dil Chahta Hai,’ noting that both characters possessed a certain "particularity" that ultimately didn’t align with their partners’ evolving needs. "She is very clear-headed. She is cool about what she wants. It just doesn’t align with him," Akhtar stated, emphatically declaring her fondness for the character. "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."
The film depicts Natasha misinterpreting a ring Kabir (Abhay Deol) bought for his mother as a marriage proposal. Her willingness to quit her job post-marriage and her expectation that Kabir’s bachelor trips would cease after their wedding unnerved him. However, Natasha is consistently open about her expectations for married life, expressing genuine surprise when she discovers Laila and Nuria have joined the boys’ trip after a chance encounter in Spain. Her actions, while sometimes perceived as intrusive, were driven by her honest desires for a committed relationship.
In exciting news for fans of the beloved film, Akhtar confirmed that a sequel is actively "in the works." "We are on it," she revealed, cautioning, "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’ boasts an ensemble cast including Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Farhan Akhtar, Deepti Naval, and Naseeruddin Shah, whose performances contributed to its lasting appeal. The revelations from Akhtar provide a fresh perspective on Natasha’s character, encouraging viewers to revisit the film with a more nuanced understanding of her motivations and challenging the long-held perception of her as the villain.
