Shabana Azmi opens up on being awkward during love-making scene with Nandita Das for Fire: ‘Nandita kept a finger on my lips and it didnt…’ | Hindi Movie News

Shabana Azmi is considered one of the best actresses in Hindi Cinema. Known for always breaking stereotypes and making unique, bold film choices, Shabana has aced at every performance. Be it ‘Arth’, or ‘Fire’, Azmi did change the wave for many actresses who are more confident about carving a unique path today. In a recent interview, Azmi revealed that during some films, she’s had her own set of challenges and dilemma.
During a chat with Radio Nasha Official, Azmi spoke about her film ‘Fire’, how she decided to do it. She said, “When I heard the script, I absolutely loved it because I was very much aware that this is something Indians don’t talk in open. They always push it under the carpet. More than ‘Can I do it?’, the thought ‘Should I do it?’ was bothering me. So I was only thinking, ‘What will happen if this film releases’.”
She further added, “Then I realised, I can’t generalise every Indian. They are all not the same. Some of them might love it, others might raise concerns or get upset with it. But, at least the film will spark the process of questioning. Then I spoke to Javed sahab, he asked me, ‘Do you like the script?’, I said, ‘Yes’. He said, ‘Then do it.’ He explained to me, ‘You will have to be aware that this film won’t happen without controversies , but if you think you can defend the film once its out, then do it.’”
The actress revealed she gained that confidence with someone like a Deepa Mehta handling the subject. She further opened up on how awkward it was filming the intimate scenes with co-star Nandita Das. She said, “I didn’t know Nandita at that time. On the very first day of shoot, Deepa asked us to rehearse the love-making scene. Both Nandita and I were not used to doing such scenes, so while rehearsing it, Nandita kept her finger on my lips, and it didn’t come out as romantic. Deepa shouted, ‘I didn’t ask you to brush her teeth’. It was very awkward for both of us to shoot such scenes. But, Deepa made sure there were not more people than both of us, her, and the cameraman. She created a safe environment, and the film was not exploitative.”
Shabana was last seen in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ and ‘Ghoomer’.