Shabana Azmi Was Jealous Of Rekha, Fought With Filmmaker, 'What Does Rekha Have That I Don't Have?'

One of the most prolific actresses in Hindi cinema, Shabana Azmi, is known for her distinctive and unconventional roles in different genres. Five times National Award winner, Shabana is the daughter of poet, Kaifi Azmi. The veteran actress became a part of parallel cinema in the ’70s and later ventured into mainstream cinema.

In her personal life, she broke societal stereotypes when she married acclaimed writer, Javed Akhtar in 1984. For the unversed, Javed was earlier married to Honey Irani, and the duo has two kids together, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. However, her parents were against her wish and objected to her being involved with a married man with two children. However, she stood firm in her decision.

Shabana Azmi recalled feeling bad for getting a minor role in Mira Nair’s film

Shabana Azmi has acted in experimental and parallel cinema, and the actress has often awestruck audiences for going out of her way for a character. However, the actress once had a tiff with ace filmmaker, Mira Nair for offering her a minor role. Mira Nair is an acclaimed filmmaker who received international acclaim for the 1996 film, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, which starred actress, Rekha.

In 2012, Shabana Azmi played a small part in Mira Nair’s film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. A huge fan of Mira, Shabana often felt she deserved a relevant part in Mira’s film. Once, at the New York Indian Film Festival, Shabana voiced her opinion on the same and revealed how Rekha is always Mira’s first choice and also jealous about it.

Shabana Azmi recalled being jealous of Rekha

During the event, when Mira asked Shabana about the directors she collaborated with over her five-decade-long career, Shabana jokingly responded:

“And finally, she gives me a tiny role that doesn’t do justice to our relationship or her faith in me, and that woman is sitting next to me.”

Hearing Shabana, Mira recalled a funny anecdote and revealed how the filmmaker had a friendly fight with Shabana and even followed her to her hotel. Mira also revealed how Shabana compared herself to Rekha and asked her:

“What does Rekha have that I don’t have? Humari pyaar ki ladayi hui in that ladies’ room.”

When Shabana Azmi fell in love with an already-married man, Javed Akhtar

On the personal front, Shabana is happily married to poet, lyricist and screenplay writer, Javed Akhtar. Javed Akhtar met Shabana Azmi at Kaifi Azmi’s house. His frequent visits to Kaifi Azmi’s place for the love of Urdu poetry attracted him to the charming Shabana Azmi. Whereas Shabana kept her distance as Javed was already a married man. Speaking about the same in an interview with DNA, she had quoted:

"If you consider the fact that one seeks the perfect match of backgrounds for an arranged marriage, then this could well have been the perfect arranged marriage. He (Javed) was already married by the time I realised how well suited we were. We stayed away from each other for as long as was possible."

Did you know about Shabana Azmi’s jealousy towards Rekha? Let us know.

Also Read: Govinda's Career Began To Face Setback After He Rejected A Superhit Film Because Of The Female Lead

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