Shabana Azmi shares her experience working with director Shekhar Kapur; says, “It isn’t like he is pushing his will down your throat”

Shabana Azmi talks about filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

February 22, 2023 - 4:33 PM IST

Veteran Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi is eagerly awaiting the release of What's Love Got To Do With It, which also stars American actress Emma Thompson. She claimed that rather than imposing his will on anyone, the director Shekhar Kapur inspires, coaxes, cajoles his performers into giving him what he wants. Azmi referred to it as the greatest technique because it had both performers and filmmakers working together.

Shabana Azmi shares her experience working with director Shekhar Kapur; says, “It isn’t like he is pushing his will down your throat”

Speaking to Filmy Shilmy, Shabana said, “It isn’t like he (Shekhar Kapur) is pushing his will down your throat. Shekhar, as he has a vast body of experience, but when he did Masoom with me, he wasn’t lacking in confidence though it was his first film. But now, he was very relaxed, given that the circumstances were so excruciating, and it was at the height of COVID and it was freezing in London…he kept his calm and humour, and kept it light for the actors.”

Shabana Azmi, who has been in films that paved the way for women's portrayal, thought about contemporary actresses and how they don't want to just be decorative elements in movies, she said, “When I did Arth, it was a struggle with the end—the distributors said it was a wonderful film, but an Indian wife to say no to her husband, won’t be accepted, and it turns out that’s what they celebrated. Often, filmmakers are not in touch with what audiences are ready to view.” She continued by saying that it isn't as difficult for actors to make a feminist statement in modern times. She said, “They want to do something substantial, they don’t want to be an appendage to the heroes, just wearing beautiful clothes. You have to shake patriarchy and shake it off.”

Shabana will be soon seen in Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, a romantic comedy directed by Karan Johar starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, and Jaya Bachchan. She said, “Karan Johar is a dedicated Hindi film fan. Definitely, the whole idea of romance between me and Dharmendra’s character, is based on little snippets on Hindi films…so you will feast on what he’s got there. I can’t reveal too much, but it is certainly there.”

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani was slated to release in February this year. However, owing to the maternity break of Alia Bhatt, the shoot schedule of the film was shifted. As per the latest update on the film, while most of the work on it is completed, it is being said that the actress has to shoot a song sequence with the team including Ranveer Singh. Directed by Karan Johar, the film is now slated to hit the big screens on April 28, 2023.

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