- Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The veteran actor says casting directors have freed Hindi cinema from stock characters, and raised the bar for mainstream actors
By: India Weekly
VETERAN actor Shabana Azmi highlighted the significant impact casting directors have had on the Hindi film industry, noting that their influence has led to a shift toward more authentic portrayals and a broader range of actors.
At the teaser launch event for her Netflix thriller series “Dabba Cartel,” Azmi spoke about the positive changes she has witnessed over her 50-year career in cinema.
“For me, the advent of the casting director has brought a huge change… Look what the casting director has done. They have freed Hindi cinema from stock characters. So, we have got the most fascinating faces which are authentic,” Azmi said.
She emphasised that this shift has also raised the bar for mainstream actors. “When you are surrounded by authentic characters, you also start sort of pulling up your socks,” she added.
Azmi praised the increasing trend toward more realistic portrayals of characters in films today. She cited Rishi Kapoor’s performance in “Karz”, where he was seen drumming the guitar instead of playing it properly, as an example of how standards have evolved.
“Today, it is impossible. I don’t think any actor could get away and I don’t think that any actor would think it is okay,” she said.
Discussing her own work, Azmi expressed gratitude for still being able to take on roles that she enjoys. “I happened to be at the right place at the right time,” she said.
Azmi also shared her experience working with younger actors, noting that they often come with initial uncertainty but soon feel at ease. “I have to remind them, ‘I’m your senior, behave yourself,'” she laughed.
At the launch, Azmi also shared some light-hearted anecdotes about her involvement in “Dabba Cartel”.
The series, set in the Mumbai suburb of Thane, marks the first collaboration between Netflix and Excel Entertainment.
Azmi’s stepson, Farhan Akhtar, produced the show, while her stepdaughter-in-law, Shibani Akhtar, served as creator. Azmi jokingly referred to the project as a “ghar ka maamla” (home affair).
She also revealed a humorous incident where she tried to remove actor Jyotika from the show but was overruled by the producers.
“It’s really creditable to these guys who said, ‘You can do what you want. We are not going to replace her,'” Azmi admitted.
While Jyotika laughed at Shabana’s confession, the latter expressed her gratitude, adding that she was thankful that Farhan and Shibani did not give in and insisted on keeping her in “Dabba Cartel”.
“It would have robbed me of the pleasure of working with you,” she added, directing the comment toward Jyotika.
“Dabba Cartel,” written by Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher, will premiere on Netflix on February 28. The show also stars Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Gajraj Rao, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat.
