Shabana Azmi at 75: Never dreamed I would still be working after 50

For over five decades, Shabana Azmi has redefined the acting in Indian cinema with her unmatched versatility and grace. A five-time National Award winner, she has seamlessly moved between parallel cinema and mainstream blockbusters, from Shyam Benegal’s landmark ‘Ankur’ to Manmohan Desai’s masala entertainers, and from Mahesh Bhatt’s deeply emotional ‘Arth’ to internationally acclaimed films like ‘Fire’. Beyond the screen, she has been a powerful voice for social causes, admired as much for her craft as for her convictions. As she turns 75 today (September 18), Shabana continues to inspire generations of actors with her ability to reinvent herself while remaining rooted in authenticity. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, she speaks about her birthday plans, inspiring career and much more.What special things is Shabana Azmi doing on her 75th birthday?The truth is, I am happiest at home, soaking my feet. I didn’t want to do anything big on my birthday. Normally, I host a tea party with friends who drop in casually, without any pressure. But my husband, Javed Akhtar, always pushes me to celebrate. I was sure I didn’t want a 5-star hotel setup because that would feel like a reception. My friend Boney Kapoor, who has been close to me for 40 years, insisted on hosting it at his home. And that’s exactly what is happening this year.As you turn a year older, what are your thoughts on the way life has treated you?I think life has been very kind, and I am extremely grateful. I cannot stop repeating that I was at the right place at the right time. This is not false modesty. Shyam Benegal’s ‘Ankur’ became a trailblazer for parallel cinema, and I was fortunate to be its beneficiary. Had I started with mainstream cinema, I would have been at the lowest rung of a ladder already occupied by Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, and Rekha. But with ‘Ankur’, I found a parallel space without competing with them.

Actors may come and go, but you continue to reinvent yourself with every generation.Mainstream cinema gave me Manmohan Desai’s ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ and ‘Parvarish’, N.N. Sippy’s ‘Fakira’, and others. But if not for Mahesh Bhatt’s ‘Arth’, Shekhar Kapur’s ‘Masoom’, and Basu Chatterjee’s ‘Swami’, I would not have found the niche I was fortunate to occupy. These films gave me characters beyond just being an appendage to the hero. Looking back, that is what elongated my career. In a similar way, I feel Anil Kapoor is where he is today because he too chose to play layered characters early in his career rather than just stereotypical heroes.As one of the most accomplished actresses of our times, which actors today impress you?There are many talented actors today. Among the men, I admire Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Ishaan Khatter, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Kumud Mishra. Among the women, I appreciate the work of Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Vidya Balan, and of course, Tabu.Looking back, which films do you consider landmarks in your career?‘Landmarks’ is too pompous a word to use for one’s own career. But in terms of impact, ‘Arth’, ‘Fire’, ‘Paar’, and ‘Godmother’, each in their own way, were significant in my growth as an actor. Shyam Benegal and Mahesh Bhatt were great influences. Shyam expanded my worldview, while Mahesh, in ‘Arth’, wrenched my guts inside out and made me confront the depths of humiliation in scenes like begging Kulbhushan Kharbanda for one more chance or the phone conversation with Smita Patil—before rising like a phoenix to carve my own destiny.As for Manmohan Desai, his genius was in creating a willing suspension of disbelief. Mainstream cinema works in an alternate reality, and to surrender to that is a real test. Balraj Sahni was perhaps the only actor who could be convincing even in the corniest scenes. I struggled with that, so I simply played the scene without worrying about continuity. Strangely, that training helped me during Spielberg’s ‘HALO’. I couldn’t grasp the sci-fi narrative, so I just mugged my lines and played each scene as I once did in Hindi mainstream films.Any unfulfilled dreams?Seventy-five years is a long journey. I never dreamed I would still be working after 50 years! This past year has been wonderful. I was felicitated across the world with retrospectives of my films, and I am deeply grateful. ‘Dabba Cartel’ became a success, and its second season is being written. Aamir Khan’s ‘1947 Lahore’ is almost ready. I am also touring the USA with my play ‘Broken Images’, preparing for Shekhar Kapur’s ‘Masoom: Second Generation’, and reuniting with Naseeruddin Shah after a long time. Several scripts are waiting to be read.My cup is full, Mashallah… but as Barbra Streisand’s song says, I don’t want much, I just want more. Ask me what I want, and I will sing—I want more of everything. Go to Source