RACING AHEAD

DIRECTOR AKSHAY ROY OF VIJAY 69 FAME SHARES HIS LOVE FOR CINEMA WITH SRIJANI ROY CHOWDHURY

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Akshay Roy discovered his love for storytelling back in college. A Mumbaiborn boy who spent part of his childhood in Nigeria before transitioning to a boarding school in Ajmer, Akshay's path has been anything but conventional.

His storytelling journey began during his time at St. Stephen's College in Delhi. His passion for writing and directing deepened at Jamia Millia Islamia, where filmmaking became his calling.

After graduation, Akshay dabbled in short films while navigating the highs and the lows of Mumbai. He also gained experience assisting the likes of Farhan Akhtar on Lakshya, Deepa Mehta on Water and Mira Nair on The Namesake, which helped him hone his craft. His early work in advertising and independent filmmaking laid the groundwork for his feature film debut.

"I made several short films before Meri Pyaari Bindu. With each project, I've learnt to stay true to my characters and find humour in everyday moments," he shares.

Akshay also opens up about being inspired by directors who have carried the torch of filmmaking before him. "I loved Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Anand is one of my favourite films. I love Mani Ratnam's work as well.

I'm a fan of Zoya Akhtar, Shoojit Sircar, Shakun Batra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali," he says.