Veteran singer-actress Sulakshana Pandit left the mortal world on November 6. Her cinematic marvels will inspire generations for decades to come. However, more than her on-screen work, it is her BTS tales that have touched millions of hearts. For instance, did you know that if it wasn’t for Sulakshana Pandit, then prolific actress Shabana Azmi would have quit the film industry? Read on to know what happened.
When Shahbana Azmi almost decided to quit movies
While speaking to us exclusively, “I was rehearsing for a qawwali-mujra for a Manmohan Desai film. You know how good I am at filmy dancing? So there I was struggling with those intricate steps when the choreographer, who was a formidable name, snidely commented, ‘Why come into the acting field when you don’t know how to dance?’”
She continued, “That was it! I was aghast, livid, and affronted. I stormed out of the set in full Anarkali costume, makeup streaming down my face as I wept. Since my car was not to be seen, I rushed from the studio on foot towards my home, vowing to quit. Can you imagine the sight for bystanders?”
Sulakshana Pandit told Shabana Azmi that, when it wasn’t her fault, why was she thinking of quitting
A couple of days after the incident, Shabana met Sulakshana Pandit. On hearing what had happened, Sulakshana quietly commented, “But why should you quit? He is the one who misbehaved. He should quit. He is there because of us actresses, not the other way around.”Recalling the whole incident, Shabana added, “It was one of those Eureka moments of my life. It said so much about her empathy and intelligence. You know, when I came into the movies, my only aspiration was to look like Sulakshana Pandit. She is, was, so pretty. I loved her wigs and makeup, and wanted to look like her on screen. I hadn’t met her for decades. Now I wish I had, to thank her for that advice she gave me.”
