Lack of sensitivity: Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi talks about how everything is in the intention to what makes her marriage work. In an interview, she speaks on being 

A public figure in the digital era: There are advantages and disadvantages. You have direct access to millions of followers. Amitabh Bachchan has 33 million fans. One tweet and he can reach all of them - what a privilege that is!

On Sridevi’s demise — ‘We reached an all new low with our speculations’: “I was very upset at the way Sridevi’s tragedy was handled in the electronic media. I felt that everybody must come out very strongly and say, jis tarah ke low  matlab we reached the depths of depravity. — I feel that should become a benchmark of where we should never go. There was a lot of outrage. The complete lack of sensitivity was very upsetting.”

Filmmakers and their responsibility in bringing forth a neat ‘Item number’: It’s all in the intention of the creative artist. Is the creative artist trying to titillate or is he/she trying to express beauty? Because it is perfectly possible that you can find a nude very attractive and you can find a completely fully clad person vulgar. It is in the intention. When people say, ‘Oh they have item numbers because they are celebrating sensuality’ - which is a welcome thing, because you should celebrate sensuality. What you are overlooking is you are actually objectifying or commodifying the woman - under the pretence of celebrating her sensuality. The way the camera lingers over the woman’s body in fragmented bits. That’s what commodifies and objectifies women. So, in itself per say, there is no value judgement. It is in the intention of the film maker - and that shows.”

How the magic in her marriage remains — ‘Javed and I should’ve had an arranged marriage’

“We have a common world view. Our is not just a marriage but a deep rooted friendship. Apart from loving Javed, I like him very much. What happens in a relationship is two people are so busy they are working and they have their individual identities and then they come together. One is not impinging on the other’s identity and living vicariously through it. It makes an unfair demand on the relationship. If you have your own individual things to do, then the relationship will be healthier.

Javed’s father was member of the congress party. So was mine. In fact there was so many similarities in Javed and my background that we feel we should’ve had an arranged marriage. Because we are so perfectly matched in terms of the background that we come from.”