Exclusive: Shabana Azmi on the rise of women-oriented Bollywood films

In an old interview, Shabana Azmi discussed the rising wave of women-oriented films in Bollywood. On her birthday today, we revisit her words on how actresses are prioritizing good roles over hefty pay checks to gain recognition and, in some cases, prestigious awards. “Leading ladies have recognized the worth of being in films where they have substantial roles to play. That gives them a chance to win National Awards,” Azmi said.

She applauded actresses like Sonam Kapoor for taking on meaningful projects like Neerja (2016), despite accepting a lower fee. “If Sonam Kapoor does Neerja almost for free, she does it because it gives her a chance to play an excellent role. By sacrificing her price for one film, she has garnered all the respect that should have come to her,” Azmi shared. She believed this trend would encourage more actresses to opt for roles with depth, rather than being limited to glamorous parts.

Azmi also touched briefly on Indian actors gaining global attention, highlighting Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone’s success in Hollywood. “The fact that Priyanka is not seen as an Indian is a step towards colour-blind casting. But let’s not get very excited; it’s a long way before we become part of their stories,” she added, reflecting on the strides yet to be made in Western cinema.