Sena couldn’t bully Mumbai: Shabana

With an acting career spanning over three decades Shabana Azmi has done roles across genres and is equally at ease with theatre. The versatile actor has a strong emotional bond with Hyderabad where she was born and where her parents (Kaifi and Shaukat Azmi) met for the first time at a mushaira in 1947. Excerpts from an interview:
Tumhari Amrita had two characters and in Broken Images you play a double role without a supporting actor.What were the challenges ?
Rehearsals were very difficult, but became easier with my sister-in-law Tanvi standing in as the second persona. What you see on the screen which is my image, was done in advance, a 44-minute shot done in a single take. I too was stunned! The next challenge for me was to adjust to the fixed image. With no scope for improvisation, one mistake or bad timing, and the play would run off the tracks. And finally there was the constant dilemma of who is the victim and who is the villain!
Is portraying intense emotions on stage more demanding?
An actor should keep himself/herself in a state of emotional readiness. When you get a stimulus you respond. Also I’m a trained actor, so that helps. But the point is mitti geeli honi chahiye — if I didn’t feel, it wouldn’t happen, no matter what.
What’s your view on Hyderabad’s theatre scene?
Local theatre groups are doing a lot to give impetus to theatre. But the love for theatre has to be nurtured. Theatre and films must become part of the school curriculum which makes you well-rounded and develops an appreciation for the arts. Without this exposure you can’t suddenly expect children to become discerning audience. Mahaul zaruri hai, then it becomes easier.
Aman Ki Asha is an initiative to build a literary bridge to facilitate the Indo-Pakistan peace process. Being strongly associated with art cinema, do you think art can help resolve differences?
I have great respect for India’s pluralism and composite culture and have complete faith in secularism. Art can be an instrument of change, but I think there is no alternative to dialogue. Countries must negotiate hard and in their own interests. But, we should simultaneously build people-to-people contact so that people are fed the notion and find out how much there is in common — then feelings soften and governments realise that people want peace. We must make a distinction between what governments should do and what people can do.
As a strong advocate of human rights what is your view on the recent SRK- Sena controversy?
I don’t believe the Shiv Sena has taken umbrage to his remark. It is just a peg being used to safeguard their dwindling political career. The Censor Board has cleared the film and no extra constitutional authority can say people must see or not see the film. Besides, you can’t create a law and order situation — the way it was revved up to create mass hysteria like in a bull fight. I have suffered the same treatment with Fire. Hats off to Mumbaiites for not succumbing to their bullying tactics. I’m also glad at the way Rahul Gandhi cocked a snook at the Shiv Sena by taking the local train.
What do you think of Farhan and Zoya Akhtar as directors?
Farhan and Zoya are western-educated youngsters who relate their own realities in their films. Both are making films with a different sensibility. They’ve had exposure to world cinema, but are grounded in Hindi cinema too. Also their gender equations and aesthetics are very pleasing. I’d like to work with Farhan and Ashutosh Gowariker.
Any plans to direct a film?
I’m getting too much work as an actor with all kinds of roles for all kinds of ages. There’s Gurinder Chadda’s It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, about a fat mother with a fat daughter who is getting rejected by suitors. Within mainstream there’s Mukti with Sunil Shetty and Sanjay Dutt and the third is Decent Arrangement.
What are the challenges of keeping a marriage stable between two successful professionals, passionately engaged in the same area of work?
Basically we are good friends. And as Javed puts it, “Even marriage hasn’t been able to ruin our friendship!” We rarely meet, which is the greatest reason for the success. We are both creative and have a healthy respect for the other. I think it’s important to invest in a relationship, but you must have your independent life.
Any messages for young Indians?
Fifty percent of India is under 25. Youth’s our greatest strength. Everywhere the youth are at the forefront of change but in India the youth are not involved. Also the youth must understand that they must invest in the place they live in and act as catalysts of change. Also I urge them not to be engulfed by consumerism, and inculcate a love for books and reading.
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