A decent score
An adaptation of Anuja Chauhan’s novel of the same name, The Zoya Factor is funny, and it works, despite a thin plot. The story follows Zoya Solanki (Sonam Kapoor), born on the same day as India’s first Cricket World Cup win, in 1983. Her dad (Sanjay Kapoor) labels her a gift from the cricket Gods. He’s not kidding either. As she grows, he insists she never miss breakfast on a match day, because when she does, Team India loses.
Her own life, however, is fairly lacklustre. She’s dating losers and has a thankless job as a junior ad copywriter. Then suddenly, she gets the chance to work with the Indian cricket team on a shoot.
A starstruck Zoya meets the hunky captain, Nikhil Khoda (Dulquer Salmaan), who doesn’t believe in luck, and sparks fly. But Zoya turns out to actually be a lucky charm. The team starts counting on her to help them win each game. The cricket board offers her a position as their lucky mascot. Director Abhishek Sharma somehow makes the whole thing seem believable. Salmaan delivers a pitch-perfect performance. As the skipper who doubles as a chef and rides cool bikes when he’s not on the pitch, his character has heartthrob written all over it, and suits him to a tee.
Kapoor is in her element too, as a clueless, naive young fashionista. (And while she’s always fun in this role, I wish filmmakers would start writing intelligent characters for her too. She hasn’t had one since Neerja.)
The two stars have sizzling chemistry on-screen, even if their falling in love is far too hasty. Among the supporting cast, Angad Bedi is effective as the bad guy on the team; one wishes he had been given more to do. And a 45-second cameo by Anil Kapoor is too brief and yet doesn’t go unnoticed. The cricket commentary by two men — especially the one aping Navjot Singh Sidhu, complete with desi shayari — is the best comedic element in the film.
On the downside, some crucial elements — like an entire stadium chanting ‘Zo Zo Zoya’ — just don’t wash. There are also far too many brand mentions, to the point of being jarring. All in all, a fair watch if you’re looking for a good laugh.