Shabana Azmi is not confident about acting in Malayalam films

Shabana Azmi, the actress-turned-activist and parliamentarian, is known to associate herself with meaningful and intellectual ventures and has also won numerous accolades for the same. In Kerala to attend the international film fest, where she is one of the chief guests, Shabana has been quite busy giving talks and chatting with a film-smitten crowd. Nevertheless, she brims with undying passion for her craft and is least tired when it comes to discussing films.
Excerpts from a quick chat:
You are actively involved with film festivals across the country. How has been your experience in Kerala?
I visited Trivandrum in 2004 to inaugurate the Indian package of the 9th International Film Festival of Kerala. Talking about the visit this year, I am really enjoying the atmosphere at the fest and appreciate the enthusiasm of the crowd to watch and understand good cinema and discuss the same with experts. The awareness of the audience about trends in films and their eagerness to learn more is quite impressive.
Of late, you have been acting as Abhilasha Grewal — the head of an anti-terrorist unit — in the TV series 24, produced by Anil Kapoor. Are you enjoying being on television?
I find 24, which is a political drama series, to be quite different as compared to other TV shows. Working on the series involved a lot of hard work with ardent preparations and long durations on the set, but I enjoyed it, nevertheless.
You are an actor, activist, parliamentarian — many things rolled into one. What do you identify yourself with the most?
I identify myself to be an Indian woman, who is an actor, a mother, a Muslim... many of these. At the same time, I would say I am primarily an actor, who is quite sensitive to the events around her.
When did you realisethat you want to be an actress?
Well, my mother used to say that during childhood, I would cook up plays and skits and give a show. I knew that acting is something I truly enjoyed. While I was at college pursuing my BA, I used to win all best actress awards. It gradually dawned on me that this is something I would love to pursue. Then I asked my father, poet Kaifi Azmi, whether he would support me if I want to be an actress. He instantly promised me that he would support me even if I wanted to be a cobbler — just that I should ensure I would try to be the best cobbler around! And then I joined the film institute of India for my training.
Will we see you acting in a film soon? Any chance of associating with the Malayalam industry in the future?
I have got many offers from Malayalam film industry in the past. But to do justice to any role, I need to understand dialogues and deliver them perfectly. For the very reason, I am not confident about acting in Malayalam for I don’t know the language. As far as acting is concerned otherwise, I am reading many scripts, but has not zeroed in on anything yet.