Shabana Azmi’s Bold Take: Talent Over Looks in Bollywood!

Actress Shabana Azmi has captivated audiences for decades with her varied roles in indie, mainstream, and international motion pictures. She also addressed the misconception that having the "right face" always makes someone a successful actor, pointing out that directors usually base their casting choices only on looks.

"Undeveloped ability is like an uncut diamond that shines with the right instruction," Shabana Azmi said in a media conference. She passionately argues for the importance of training and how it may transform an actor's career. However, she acknowledged that some performers are exceptional and achieve success without formal training due to their consistent practice and dedication.

However, the actress emphasized that training alone is not enough to fill the gap, therefore a bad actor cannot succeed in the industry. She also addressed a common misconception among filmmakers by stating, "I feel that many filmmakers have this misconception that if they hire the right face, they can get work done from them. How can you get the work done? You can if and when you have to use only their faces; but when there are dialogues too, it cannot happen."

Regarding her role in Patang (1993), Shabana talked about the early production phases, when she mostly worked with emerging actors. She was so relieved to see the seasoned Om Puri join the ensemble a week later, thinking, "Oh my god, here is a professional actor." She said working with him was enjoyable. Shabana added that her favorite co-star of all time is still Naseeruddin Shah.

Dharmendra’s kissing scene with Shabana Azmi, “It wasn’t forcefully put it”, says veteran star!

Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra's kiss in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was recently discussed by Dharmendra. What the seasoned actor said is below!

Aur Rani Kii, Rocky On July 28, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh's film Prem Kahaani was released. The audience has been giving Karan Johar's film positive reviews ever since it was released. The crowd was eager to witness the magic of the star cast, which also included seasoned performers like Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan, in addition to Alia and Ranveer. Even though the relationship between Alia and Ranveer in the movie won over fans' hearts, a kissing scene between Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi surprised the audience. The Sholay actor talked about the lip-locking sequence in a recent interview.

Dharmendra talked candidly about their kissing scene in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani during a recent interview with a media source. The two stars are seen coming together in the scene after a long gap. He performs the well-known throwback tune Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar before giving them a passionate kiss to complete their reunion.

Dharmendra talks about Kissing scene with co-star Shabana Azmi:
"I am hearing that Shabana and I have surprised the audience with the kissing scene, and at the same time they have even applauded it," the legendary actor added during the interview. It probably had an impact because people weren't prepared for it and it arrived unexpectedly. The last kissing scene I performed was with Nafisa Ali in Life in a Metro, and that time, too, it was well received.

The 87-year-old actor continued, "I didn't get enthusiastic when Karan described the scene to us. We understood it, and when I realised that it was something the movie needed and not something that had been imposed on it, I pledged to execute it. Additionally, I think romance knows no age. Age is simply a number, and two people, regardless of age, will kiss to express their love for one another. Shabana and I both felt no embarrassment while performing because the shot was really artistic.

 Dharmendra also discussed the movie. He praised the movie and the cast, saying, "Alia is such a natural actor, and Ranveer is fantastic. Both Shabana and Jaya, who I always regard to as my Guddi, are fantastic in the movie. The movie has been released, and I hope people go see it in theatres and keep showing their support.

Veteran Dharmendra’s professional commitments:
Dharmendra is currently preparing to work with Johnny Gaddar director Shriram Raghvan once more on the film Ekkis. Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, is a featured actor in the biopic of a soldier who died in battle.

Veteran star Dharmendra Instagram post on this hot topic:

Shabana Azmi’s Sheer Qorma for the LGBTQI community’s struggles!

Veteran Shabana Azmi has always batted for the queer community.

The actress did Fire at a time when no one wanted to play gay, and now she’s also signed Faraz Arif Ansari’s Sheer Qorma. The lesbian drama will star Divya Dutta and Swara Bhaskar as a couple who want acceptance from their families and from society as a whole, and Shabana will play the role of Divya’s mom. The veteran actress was very moved by the script which highlights the LGBTQI community’s struggles, and didn’t hesitate to say yes. I know she’ll be her usual fantastic self in it!

I'm against all fundamentalism, says Shabana Azmi!

Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi, who has often raised her voice against numerous issues, on Monday explained her stance in backing the 'Not in My Name' protests, stating that she will continue standing up against all fundamentalism.

Shabana spoke about it when a fan on Twitter told that she has "so many times spoken against Triple Talaq, talked about Kashmiri Pandit exodus here only".

Shabana responded, "Doesn't suit them. I'm vs all fundamentalism. In NIMN (Not in My Name) campaign, I said it's about all mob lynching including the DSP in Kashmir, the love Jehad."

The 'Not in My Name' protests question the "pattern of attacks on the minorities in the country and the silence of the government" on the killings.

Suhana is going to be a seriously good actor, says Shabana Azmi!

When you are the daughter of a Bollywood superstar, there will be talk about joining the industry and stepping into the shoes of her famous father. And that is the case with Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan as well. SRK fans have been anxiously waiting for Shah Rukh's teenage daughter to make her Bollywood debut.

Joining the bandwagon is veteran actress Shabana Azmi who took to Twitter to compliment Suhana.

Her tweet reads, "@iamsrk Mark my words #Suhanakhan is going to be a seriously good actor. I've watched a short clip of her acting and it was terrific.Bless her."

To this, SRK replied, "How sweet are you to say that. & of course when u say it then it’s big encouragement for the little one. Thanks."

We too got a glimpse at Suhana's acting skills when a short clip of hers from a school play emerged on social media.

Suhana recently celebrated her 17th birthday with friends and family in London. Gauri shared a breathtaking picture of Suhana from a photo shoot on Instagram, to wish her daughter on her birthday

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh is known to be protective over Suhana and even jokingly declared that he would rip the lips off anyone who tries to kiss his daughter. In an interview with a magazine earlier, SRK gave out some rules that a boy must know and abide by if he intends to date his little princess.

Rules, as specified by the 51-year-old actor, were - 1. Get a job. 2. Understand I don't like you. 3. I'm everywhere. 4. Get a lawyer. 5. She's my princess, not your conquest. 6. I don't mind going back to jail. 7. Whatever you do to her, I will do to you.

Writer returns to the screen!

Javed Akhtar will join his wife Shabana Azmi on screen in Nandita Das’s Manto biopic.

While Shabana will play Sanjay Dutt’s legendary grandmother Jaddanbai, her other half will make a cameo appearance as a college principal who defends Manto’s right to express himself. This will be the renowned writer’s first screen appearance since 2009’s Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye, and he’s a bit nervous to be facing the camera again. Don’t worry Javed saab, it’s just like riding a bike! 

Shabana Azmi helped to avoid any awkward situation between late Om Puri’s wives!

Shabana Azmi and Om Puri have starred in many movies together and share a beautiful friendship bond. 

Regrettably, Om Puri passed away on January 6. Azmi was deeply sad by her friend's death and told, "I did 14 films with Om and am deeply, deeply saddened by his death."

The good pal that Shabana is, she avoided an awkward encounter from taking place between Puri's wives - Nandita and Seema, according to a famous daily. The two had showed up at his home after his death. 

A friend of Om's revealed the tabloid, "Shabana made sure that there was no unpleasantness. She personally guided Seemaji inside to see Om’s body when Seemaji arrived, thereby avoiding all awkwardness in the situation."

Shabana specified to the tabloid, "I did what was the need of the hour. It was only fair that both Nandita and Seema be treated with respect at the venue of the tragedy after Om’s death. Both women conducted themselves with great dignity." 

Sonam Kapoor chooses Bollywood stars for Hollywood's famous characters at Neha Dhupia's chat show!

Sonam Kapoor only just joined Neha Dhupia's chat show #NoFilterNeha where she gave humorous and funny answers as always. On being asked who she would cast in Bollywood adaptations of the following movies, Sonam told as

For film 50 Shades of Grey, she said, "I haven't seen the film and it was one of those books that I read and I'm sorry to say, I enjoyed it. It was so bad that it's good! I actually like the characters a lot in that. Who looks virginal? Maybe Alia and for the boy, someone really hot. Siddharth!"

For film Confessions of a shopaholic, "It's one of my favorite actresses. I would say me but again, I would say Kangana Ranaut"

For film Devil Wears Prada, "Obviously for Meryl Streep's character, I would say Shabana Azmi because she is so brilliant and for Anne Hathaway's character, I would say Shraddha Kapoor. Anne Hathaway has this vibe which Shraddha has I feel. She's cute, that's what Anne Hathaway is."