Shabana Azmi, a highly respected figure in Indian cinema, is known for her impactful roles in films advocating for social reform. Throughout her illustrious career in parallel cinema, she has championed the cause of female actors, helping to create opportunities for meaningful roles. In a recent interview with Faye D’Souza on her YouTube channel, Azmi expressed her irritation towards young women who claim they are not feminists, highlighting a disconnect in understanding what feminism truly represents.
Shabana’s Perspective on Feminism
During the interview, Azmi candidly stated, “Itni chid aati hain na mujhe… itni chid aati hain. Kyuki koi samajh hi nahi hain ki feminist ka matlab kya hain.” (I get very irritated. There is no understanding about what it means to be a feminist.) She noted that many young women still associate feminism with outdated stereotypes, such as the image of the “bra-burning woman,” revealing a lack of comprehension about the movement’s core principles.
Azmi shared a personal anecdote from her time in America that illustrates this misunderstanding. While ironing her husband Javed Akhtar’s kurta, a woman questioned her feminist identity, asking, “You call yourself a feminist and you are ironing your husband’s kurta?” Shabana’s response emphasized her belief that domestic roles do not negate her feminism, stating, “What has this got to do with feminism?” When the woman suggested that Javed might iron her sari, Shabana firmly replied, “I will never let him do that!” She highlighted the weakness in this perception, urging that there must be a deeper consideration of what it means to identify as a feminist.
A Broader Understanding of Feminism
When prompted to define feminism, Azmi elaborated, “Everything. The whole gaze in the way which you view the world is different. Men and women are different. Not better, not worse. That difference needs to be celebrated. Equal but different.” She criticized the traditional male-centric solutions to societal issues, asserting the importance of women’s voices in discussions, and advocating for equal representation: “We have to be included in that dialogue and force our way… You have to have your place at the table.”
Recognition and Recent Work
Recently, Shabana Azmi was honored with the Excellence in Cinema award at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, a recognition presented to her by fellow veteran Waheeda Rehman. Azmi continues to remain active in the film industry, with her latest appearance in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, a performance that earned her accolades at both the Filmfare and IIFA awards.
Through her insights, Azmi challenges the younger generation to engage with and understand the true essence of feminism, encouraging a more informed dialogue about gender equality.
