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.”
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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.”