In an age where Bollywood actors are turning pro-establishment, The Zoya Factor is a refreshing take on a classic rom-com. While the writing isn’t as supple as it could be, it has all the charm and wit of Garry Marshall and Mills & Boon, and a wistful wit reminiscent of a Coco Chanel ad. Nevertheless, The Zoya Factor is an entertaining, if sometimes disappointing, rom-com.
The film is based on a novel by Anuja Chauhan, who was born on the day India won the world cup. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan and Sonam Kapoor as two men who try to prevent Zoya from coming back to India. The story revolves around Zoya, a cricketer who was born on the day India won its first cricket world cup. While the film does feature some impressive moments, it ultimately falls short of becoming a classic.
Zoya’s journey to success is inspiring and funny at the same time. Born on the same day as India won the 1983 world cup, Zoya was considered lucky by her family. Now, Zoya works as a junior copywriter for an ad agency, where she meets the team and is sent on an ad photo shoot. After being sent to meet the team, Zoya tells them about her ‘luck factor’ story and helps them win the World Cup.
This book was a delightful read and an excellent introduction to Bollywood’s newest sensation. As the author of the novel, Anuja Chauhan is a brilliant storyteller. The premise of Zoya and Nikhil’s love story is so relatable that it’s easy to fall in love with both of them. And the casting of Sanjay Kapoor and Manu Rishi is excellent, too.
While Zoya has a terrible love life, the show makes up for it with a great romance and a fantastic cast of characters. Her professional life is just as bad, as her boss would like to fire her. Zoya’s boss is even more frustrated when her new job requires her to participate in a Pepsi ad shoot. Even Zoya’s boss seems to wish she could fire her, but she has to do it.
The movie is a pleasant movie for fans of Bollywood movies. It makes its point by combining Bollywood with cricket, and is a thoroughly likeable movie. The casting of Dulquer Salmaan as Indian skipper Nikhil Khoda is great, and he gives the right balance of charm and macho. A movie like Zoya is one of the best in Bollywood, but that doesn’t mean that you should see it.
