The formidable Shabana Azmi knows no full stops. As her latest triumph as a matriarch-turned-drug peddler sets the OTT screen ablaze, the astonishing Azmi says, “My character in Drug Cartel is decisive and a leader. Finding her layers was challenging, as at one point, she starts feeling alive once again and enters the space with no holds barred. Actually, I enjoy playing different characters. What I find tough to play is a bechari. Aparna Sen, a very dear friend, once warned me that my offscreen persona would restrict directors from casting me as a helpless character.”
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Regarding why she hasn’t turned to direction even after fifty years in front of the camera, Shabana says, “Direction is a huge responsibility. I used to unofficially assist Shyamu (Shyam Benegal), and it was very daunting. I came close to officially assisting my dear friend Aparna Sen on one of her projects. Luckily for me, that project never happened. I am happy being an actor. I’m getting the kind of work that gives me immense satisfaction. This year, I have three projects—Lahore 1947, Bann Tikka, and Dabba Cartel—coming up. These are the kind of roles that were not available to actresses my age twenty years ago.”
Last year, the entire world celebrated fifty years of Shabana Azmi’s career as an actor. She feels a deep sense of gratitude. “Also, embarrassment. I couldn’t bear to sit there and listen to so much praise. I don’t deserve it. I don’t want to listen to it. Itni tareef mere sehat ke liye achchi nahin hai.”
