Legendary Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi has spoken out about the importance of protecting democracy in a recent interview with Sky News. As India enters the fourth phase of its seven-week long general election, Azmi emphasized the significance of citizens’ rights to express their voices through the democratic process.
Azmi highlighted the use of religion for political gain during the election campaign, acknowledging the challenges faced by the 200 million Muslims in India. Despite this, she remains optimistic about the future, expressing pride in her country and her identity as an Indian woman, actor, activist, mother, and daughter.
The actress also reflected on her career, revealing that she did not have a grand plan to become an actress. Azmi’s remarkable achievements in the film industry have earned her the national award for best actor five times, making her the only actor to achieve this feat. From her first release, Ankur, in 1974 to her notable work in films like Arth, Khandhar, and Paa, Azmi has left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.
Baroness Shaista Gohir, CEO of Muslim Women’s Network UK, recently hosted Azmi at the House Of Lords to celebrate her film career and her advocacy for women’s rights. The actress’s dedication to speaking out on issues of injustice and gender inequality reflects her commitment to using her platform for positive change.
Don’t miss the full interview with Shabana Azmi on Sky News’ The World With Yalda Hakim tonight at 9pm.