In a grand celebration of cinematic legacy, veteran actress Shabana Azmi took the stage at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 to conduct a masterclass that displayed not just her illustrious career but also the enduring magic of Indian cinema. Engaging in a captivating dialogue with fellow actress Vidya Balan, Azmi offered festival attendees a rare glimpse into her rich journey across five decades in the film industry, sharing profound insights and cherished experiences with some of cinema’s most significant creative minds.
Azmi began her masterclass by reflecting on her memorable collaborations with iconic directors like Shyam Benegal, Mahesh Bhatt, Satyajit Ray, and Deepa Mehta. Each association represented a key phase in her career that painted a vivid picture of the changing landscape of Indian cinema. Sharing an anecdote from her collaboration with Mahesh Bhatt, Azmi’s narrative offered a window into the spontaneous and intuitive aspect of filmmaking. “For one of the movies, we didn’t have a script… I would wear my own clothes and turn up on the sets. But it was like he pressed a button, and I would start,” Azmi recounted, illustrating the creative chemistry that fueled her performances.
The session was a balance of depth and candor, highlighting not only Azmi’s professional journey but also her personal growth and evolving perspective as an artist. Her take on the filming of the song “Tum Itna Kyun Muskura Rahe Ho” for the film Arth provided a fascinating look at the unique crafting of a performance. Azmi described an instance where on the third day of filming, she found herself frozen just before the scene began. Bhatt’s minimalist direction of “Look exposed” proved pivotal, as Azmi explained how this instruction transformed her approach and performance in that scene, making it one of the most powerful moments captured on screen.
Exploring the diverse challenges of her craft, Azmi did not shy away from discussing the intensity of stage acting compared to film.
. “The butterflies in my stomach become as large as elephants,” she humorously confessed when describing the nerves that accompany theatre performances. However, she also noted the subsequent ease that follows once the first lines are delivered. Her admiration for artists like Ralph Fiennes, who seamlessly transition between stage and screen, highlighted her belief in the symbiotic relationship between theatre and film.
Vidya Balan, known for her versatility and powerful performances, shared the stage with Azmi, contributing her own experiences as an untrained actor. Balan emphasized the importance of a director’s guidance in shaping her performances. Her aspirations to explore the world of comedy came to light as she cited Sridevi’s performance in Mr. India, celebrating the depth and impact of female actors in physical comedy—a genre she is eager to delve into.
The MAMI Film Festival also took the occasion to honor Shabana Azmi’s significant contributions to Indian cinema by presenting her with the Excellence in Cinema Award during the festival’s opening ceremony. This accolade stands as a testament to her tireless dedication and extraordinary body of work that has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also paved the path for future generations in the world of Indian cinema.
In tribute to her legacy, a special screening of Arth, one of her most iconic films, was scheduled for that day, October 20, seamlessly integrating days of nostalgic celebration with the festival. With moments like these, the bond between cinema and its audience only grows stronger, continuously enriching the cultural fabric.
The masterclass led by Azmi, with its profound insights and heartfelt reminiscences, served as a highlight within the expansive lineup of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. It offered aficionados of cinema an invaluable opportunity to witness the indelible impact one artist can have over a remarkable 50-year era of storytelling magic. This celebration was not just of Shabana Azmi’s personal achievements but also a reflection of cinema’s timeless power to inspire, challenge, and captivate audiences across generations.
