|
Fire: • Introduction • Film Stills • Shabana Azmi • Deepa Mehta Interact: • Sign the Guestbook • Read the Guestbook Other Sites by Caroline Marshall • Dawn French • Ruby Wax • Arabella Weir • Meera Syal • Gimme Gimme Gimme • Victoria Wood • Caroline Aherne • Liza Tarbuck • Caroline Quentin • Lenny Henry • Pauline Quirke |
 Star of 'Fire' playing Radha, Shabana Azmi has been acting in films for around 30 years. More recently her attentions have focused on the political potential of film-making as she has worked on films that aim to put across a message. Shabana is a UN Ambassador and Member of Indian Parliament, with strong opinions and a particular interest in sexual health education, helping slum dwellers and women's rights.Although a Muslim, Shabana has played many Hindu women in films, often leading to criticism from the strict muslim community. She had a Fatwa issued against her recently when she tonsured her head for her role in Deepa Mehta's latest film, Water. From time.com: "She has consistently—and loudly—railed against real-world injustice. Early in her career, she took up the cause of slum dwellers in Bombay—where she lives—who had been ruthlessly evicted by municipal authorities. Since 1993, appalled by the then bloody riots between Muslims and Hindus, Azmi, a Muslim, has become a forceful critic of communalism and a tireless crusader to end religious extremism. Azmi does not just fight for her co-religionists. In fact, her greatest battle has been against fundamentalist Islamic leaders. Post-Sept. 11, Azmi was among the first in the country to publicly criticize militant Islam. When the imam of Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, said Indian Muslims should join the jihad in Afghanistan, Azmi urged him to go—alone. Her outburst encouraged other Muslim moderates to step forward and counsel tolerance. Azmi's activism has angered both Hindu and Muslim radicals as well as a variety of vested interests. But she doesn't care. "I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a woman, an actress, an Indian and a Muslim," she says. "Each of those identities is important to me." And she doesn't intend to let anyone forget it. " Filmography from IMDB.com: * Water (2003) .... Shakuntala * Shabana (2002) .... Herself * Hari-Bhari (2000) .... Ghazala * Gaja Gamini (2000) .... Premchand's Nirmala * Godmother (1999) .... Rambhi * Bada Din (1998) .... Lilian * Earth (1998)(voice) .... Older Lenny * Side Streets (1998) .... Chandra Raj * Mrityu Dand (1997) .... Chandravati * Saaz (1997) .... Bansi Vrundavan * Fire (1996) .... Radha * Patang (1994) .... Jitni * In Custody (1993) .... Imtiaz Begum * Son of the Pink Panther (1993) .... Queen * Dharavi (1992) .... Kumud * Immaculate Conception (1992) .... Samira * City of Joy (1992) .... Kamla Pal * Antarnaad (1991) * Fateh (1991) * Amba (1990) * Disha (1990) * Muqaddar Ka Badshah (1990) * Main Azaad Hoon (1989) * Rakhwala (1989) * Sati (1989) .... Uma * Ek Din Achanak (1989) * Adharm (1988) * Ek Aadmi (1988) * Nuit Bengali, La (1988) .... Indira Sen * Pestonji (1988) .... Jeroo * Madame Sousatzka (1988) .... Sushita * Susman (1987) * Anjuman (1986) .... Anjuman * Ek Pal (1986) .... Priyam * Samay Ki Dharaa (1986) * Genesis (1986) .... The woman * Khamosh (1985) .... Shabana Azmi * Lorie (1985) .... Geeta Malhotra * Mardon Wali Baat (1985) .... Shefali * Aaj Ka MLA Ramavatar (1984) * Bhavna (1984) .... Bhavna * Hum Rahe Na Hum (1984) * Kaamyaab (1984) * Kamla (1984) .... Sarita Jadhav * Paar (1984) .... Rama * Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984) * Avtaar (1983) * Khandahar (1983) .... Jamini * Mandi (1983) .... Rukmini Bai * Masoom (1983) .... Indu * Pyaasi Aankhen (1983) * Anokha Bandan (1982) .... Anu * Arth (1982) .... Pooja * Ashanti (1982) * Log Kya Kahenge (1982) * Namkeen (1982) .... Mitthu * Suraag (1982) * Yeh Nazdeekiyan (1982) * Ek Hi Bhool (1981) .... Special Appearance * Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai (1980) .... Stella * Apne Paraye (1980) * Ek Baar Kaho (1980) * Hum Paanch (1980) * Thodisi Bewafayi (1980) * Yeh Kaisa Insaaf (1980) * Amar Deep (1979) * Bagula Bhagat (1979) * Jallianwalla Bagh (1979) * Jeena Yahan (1979) * Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) * Sparsh (1979) .... Kavita * Junoon (1978) .... Javed's Wife * Swarg Narak (1978) * Adha Din Adhi Raat (1977) * Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) .... Laxmi * Ek Hi Raasta (1977) * Hira Aur Patthar (1977) * Karm (1977) * Kissa Kursi Ka (1977) .... Janata * Parvarish (1977) .... Shabu * Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) .... Mirza's wife * Swami (1977) .... Saudamini * Vishwasghaat (1977) * Fakira (1976) * Shaque (1976) * Nishant (1975) .... Schoolmaster's Wife * Faslah (1974) * Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974) * Parinay (1974) * Ankur (1974) .... Laxmi |
| Website created by Caroline Marshall -> Contact | Page last modified: 02 December 2002 |