Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar says she is not chasing a legacy — and does not believe anyone truly can. Speaking during the promotions of her recently released film 'Daayra', starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, in the Andheri West area of Mumbai, Meghna offered a candid and grounded perspective on what it means to build a body of work in Hindi cinema.

On Legacy and the Pressure of a Celebrated Name

Meghna is the daughter of actress Rakhee Gulzar and veteran lyricist Gulzar, two of the most celebrated names in Indian cinema. The weight of that lineage is something many observers have long noted. Yet Meghna insists she does not measure her own career through that lens.

'You can't guarantee a legacy. You can't control it either. All you can do is just keep doing your work, and that's what I'm doing. I don't even look back to see if a legacy is being formed or is being built. I just feel I've finished my last film, I'm on my next film, I'll probably start working on my next film. One doesn't look at it with such lens either towards the future or with lenses into the past — because I think that happens when you feel, okay, your professional life has come to a halt now. Then you have time to process these things,' she said.

Ethics, Sensibility and Creative Integrity

Beyond legacy, Meghna was equally clear about the terms on which she will continue to make films. She said she would keep directing for as long as she is not asked to compromise her ethics or storytelling instincts.

'I don't think I'm there yet. But yes, for as long as I can, I want to continue to make the films that I believe in and the films that are true to my sensibility, are true to my moral compass. I, till now, have not been asked to or have had to compromise on that. And that's all I ask for. I'll make it my own way, don't make me compromise on my ethics, my sensibility, and my morality,' she added.

About 'Daayra'

Meghna's latest directorial venture 'Daayra' brings together Malayalam cinema star Prithviraj Sukumaran and Bollywood veteran Kareena Kapoor Khan in what marks a notable cross-industry collaboration. The film is currently running in cinemas. Meghna has previously helmed critically noted films including 'Raazi' (2018) and 'Talvar' (2015), both of which earned significant acclaim for their restrained, research-driven approach to storytelling — a style she appears to be consciously preserving.

What This Signals for Her Career Ahead

Meghna's remarks suggest she is already moving toward her next project, even as 'Daayra' finds its audience. Her focus on craft over reputation — and her insistence on creative control — places her in a relatively rare position among mainstream Indian filmmakers who often navigate significant commercial and studio pressures. Whether 'Daayra' extends her critical run will be closely watched by industry observers.