Shabana Azmi is currently immersed in the promotions of her latest web series, Dabba Cartel. As part of her campaign, the veteran actress recently made an appearance on Indian Idol 15, where she not only spoke about her show but also shared personal anecdotes, offering a glimpse into her life and family.
During the episode, Azmi fondly reminisced about her father, the legendary poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi, and his unwavering dedication to his craft. She recalled how filmmaker Chetan Anand once envisioned a film entirely written in Urdu poetry (shayari) and insisted that only Kaifi Azmi could bring it to life.
“Kaifi sahab used to write with such dedication for him (Chetan Anand). He would work the entire night and had to submit it within time. He had blood pressure, and he used to take anti-sleeping tablets with the medicines to avoid sleeping,” she shared, revealing the extreme lengths her father went to for his art. The stress of his relentless work eventually took a toll on his health, leading to a paralysis attack.
Reflecting on the sacrifices artists make for their passion, Azmi added, “I often think when artists have immense passion, they end up dedicating their lives to their work and don’t even care about their lives but only focus on doing the work.” Kaifi Azmi’s impact on literature and cinema remains profound, with his poetic genius immortalized in songs like Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Situm and Jaane Kya Tuney Kahi.
Meanwhile, Dabba Cartel, Shabana Azmi’s latest venture on Netflix, is set against the backdrop of a bustling Mumbai neighborhood. The show follows the lives of five middle-class women who run a dabba (tiffin) service. What starts as a seemingly ordinary business takes an unexpected turn when they find themselves entangled in the dangerous world of drug trafficking. Directed by Hitesh Bhatia, the series promises a gripping narrative filled with suspense and drama.
