Shabana Azmi shares she was reluctant to do 'Fire' due to homosexual content: 'But Zoya and Javed supported me'

Shabana Azmi has secured a significant space in the Indian film industry over the years with her talent and dedication to the art. As an actress who has won five National Film Awards for Best Actress, her movie choices also stand out as unique. One such project was Deepa Mehta’s 'Fire' in 1996, which explored homosexuality. Shabana and Nandita Das portrayed sisters-in-law, and their physical and emotional relationship was the focal point of the film, even though homosexuality was a stigma at that time. While the movie gained significant praise for its bold theme, it also faced criticism from some parts of society, labeling homosexuality as “unnatural.”

Recently, Shabana shared that, despite her respect for the script, she was initially hesitant to take on the role, concerned it might affect her charity work. However, with encouragement from her husband, Javed Akhtar, and stepdaughter, Zoya Akhtar, she chose to proceed with the project.

The actress revealed that she liked the script but felt it might be used against her, as she was working extensively in the slums. “The husbands of the women I was working with thought I was a very bad influence on them. I would ask them to make their own decisions and stuff like that,” she revealed in a conversation with India Today.


Her family supported her strongly. Javed Akhtar advised her to consider the potential backlash she would face for participating in the film. He acknowledged that her involvement could attract “brickbats” but encouraged her to proceed if she felt she could stand by the film’s intentions. “If you feel that this will not be an exploitative film, if you feel that this will start a conversation, then do it,” Shabana quoted her husband, the actor.

Her stepdaughter, Zoya Akhtar, despite being under 18 at the time, offered mature and insightful advice on the project. Shabana discussed the script with Zoya, who encouraged her to focus on the script’s quality rather than its themes. Zoya’s straightforward approach challenged Shabana’s apprehensions, ultimately instilling confidence that the subject matter would be handled with care. Shabana recalls being moved by Zoya’s clarity and perspective, which motivated her to embrace the role.

The 'Masoom' actress explained her perspective on Indian cinema’s role in addressing complex issues, emphasizing that India’s diverse audience will naturally have varied reactions, some might feel angry, overwhelmed, or even outraged. She sees this diversity of response as essential, as it sparks meaningful conversations rather than ignoring important topics. By initiating dialogue on subjects often overlooked, she believes cinema has the power to create a lasting impact, potentially elevating a film to cult status when it tackles issues that provoke thought and discussion.

Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”