Shabana Azmi reveals the real-life inspiration behind her role in short film 'Auntyji'
Shabana Azmi
has a rare glimpse into the roots of one of her most talked-about performances.
She revealed that her character in the short film "Auntyji", directed by Adeeb Rizvi, was inspired by a real-life woman.
Taking to Instagram, Azmi shared a photo of the woman and credited her as the muse behind the role.
Alongside the image, she wrote, "The lady whom I took inspiration from for my role in #Adeeb Rizvi's short film #Auntyji."
In the image, Shabana Azmi is seen warmly posing with her hand placed on the woman's shoulder-a gesture that reflects both admiration and affection.
Released in 2018, "AuntyJi" was a touching short film that beautifully captured the power of unexpected connections.
The 20-minute narrative followed the story of Parveen, a lonely Parsi widow played by Shabana Azmi, and Geetika, an acid attack survivor portrayed by Anmol Rodriguez.
Despite coming from entirely different worlds, their chance encounter led to an emotional exchange of dreams, pain, and personal beliefs. What began as a brief meeting soon blossomed into an unlikely but deeply meaningful friendship. The film served as a gentle yet powerful reminder to live life on one's own terms, chase dreams unapologetically, and look beyond appearances to find common ground.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
The short film also starred
Akanksha Thakur
, Mohit Hiranandani, Dhananjay Kapoor, and
Gaurav Kamble
, among others.
Speaking of Shabana Azmi, the National Award-winning actress stepped into the world of cinema in 1974 with her debut film, "Ankur." Over the past five decades, she has carved an extraordinary path in the industry, building a prolific filmography of over 160 titles-largely within the realms of independent and neorealist parallel cinema.
Reflecting on her journey in cinema, veteran actress Shabana Azmi described it in one word while speaking to IANS-"Arth". The acclaimed performer considers the film a turning point, marking the start of her deep connection with the women's movement and shaping her perspective both on and off screen.
"I think 'Arth,' because I think that's the one that started my involvement with the women's movement," said Shabana Azmi.
Shabana Azmi unfurls Indian flag in Australia's Melbourne ahead of Independence Day: '...An honour I never believed I could have'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Faissal Khan reveals Aamir Khan's family used to drug him: 'Paani me injections…'
Faissal Khan has severed all ties with his family, including his brother Aamir Khan . The former held a press conference today (August 18) where he accused the family of drugging him through water and food. Faissal revealed that he eventually gave in and decided to take medicines, as he didn't want to die due to an overdose of drugs. Faissal Khan claims his family used to drug him through water and food Faissal Khan, during his press conference, shared that his family used to give a drug called "Serenace." The actor revealed that they gave him the drug by injecting it in his water and food. He said, "Uska taste bhi nahi ata hai aur colorless hota hai (it is tasteless and colorless)." Further, Khan shared, "Bodyguards mujhe woh dete the; paani me injections ke through bottle me dalte the (Bodyguards used to inject the drug into water bottles). " Faissal then added he had to eat and drink water to stay alive. However, when he realized that he had been sleeping for over 20 hours straight, he called his sister and told her, "Mereko pata hai ki tumlog mujhe dawaiyaan de rahe ho chup chap (I know you guys are drugging me silently)." He informed her it can be fatal for him due to overdose, and he might lose his life due to the same. Faissal then shared that he called up the doctor and his sister Nikhat to tell them he is ready to take the medicines that they have been giving him forcefully. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She's 75 and Retiring - Her Handcrafted Jewelry Is 80% OFF Artisan Weekly Read More Undo He said, "Main nahi chahta tha ki overdose ho, jisse meri jaan ko khatra tha (I was worried that I might lose my life due to drug overdose)." Faissal shares his weight became 103 kgs etIn the same media interaction, Faissal shared that he was later kept in a room for a year, and he was on medication at that time as well. He said, "Mera wazan 103 kilo ka tha me (My weight became 103 kgs)." "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Jennifer Aniston's smart workout routine keeps her ‘incredibly strong' at 56. Her unconventional fitness and diet secrets may surprise you
Synopsis Jennifer Aniston, 56, known for her role in Friends, is now admired for her strong physique. Moving away from intense workouts, she embraces Pvolve, a low-impact functional fitness method. Her trainer highlights her incredible core strength and overall fitness. Aniston's routine includes resistance-based exercises and a balanced diet with room for indulgences. Jennifer Aniston, at 56, maintains a remarkably strong and lean physique through a balanced and consistent fitness approach. Moving away from grueling workouts, she embraces Pvolve, a low-impact functional fitness method, combined with a balanced diet that allows for occasional indulgences (Images: Instagram/ Jennifer Aniston) Jennifer Aniston may forever be remembered as Rachel Green from Friends, but at 56, the actress is turning heads for another reason: her remarkably strong, lean physique. While Hollywood often leans on grueling workouts and restrictive diets, Aniston's trainer reveals that the star has embraced a smarter, unconventional fitness approach that values consistency, balance, and longevity over sheer intensity. Her routine and diet, detailed in reports from The New York Post and Women's Health, showcase how she maintains a body her trainer describes as 'incredibly strong' — and how her philosophy may inspire women everywhere to rethink their fitness goals. Gone are the days when Aniston would wake up at 4 a.m. for punishing cardio sessions. As she told Women's Health, the long stretches of constant running and bootcamp workouts 'just weren't efficient anymore.' Instead, she turned to Pvolve, a low-impact, functional fitness method that uses resistance-based equipment to strengthen the body in ways that mimic everyday movements. Dani Coleman, Pvolve's Vice President of Training and Aniston's personal coach, says the actress trains around three to four times a week with sessions ranging from 20 minutes to an hour. 'She's really learned to work smarter, not harder,' Coleman told The New York Post. The program incorporates strength, sculpting, and mobility work using tools like resistance bands, a Pilates-inspired and ankle weights. For Aniston, the appeal is in targeting muscles often ignored by traditional workouts. 'It's working little micro muscles that never get any attention, and I'm dripping in sweat,' she admitted. Coleman doesn't mince words when describing Aniston's strength. 'Her core is incredibly strong, pretty bulletproof,' she told The Post. Whether holding planks, balancing on one leg, or crunching on the Aniston's abdominal endurance has left even her trainer in awe. But it's not just her core. Coleman adds that Aniston is 'strong head to toe,' capable of mixing cardiovascular, mobility, and strength training into sessions that are both challenging and enjoyable. For Aniston, flexibility and balance are just as important as the workouts themselves. On busier weeks, she pares back to short 20- or 30-minute routines, something she says helps remove the pressure of having to dedicate a full hour to exercise. 'You really can get an efficient workout with just a good 20 minutes if that's all the time you have,' she explained to Women's Health. That adaptable mindset allows her to stay consistent — a principle she values more than intensity. 'Sometimes we just do more mobility and stretching, depending on her body that day,' Coleman said. Alongside her functional workouts, Aniston's diet focuses on balance rather than restriction. Her days typically start with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water and coffee. Meals feature a mix of protein and vegetables, while snacks range from apples with almond butter to popcorn. And while she keeps her nutrition clean most days, weekends allow room for indulgence. 'I'll allow myself pizza or a burger or pasta or something extra special,' she told Women's Health. Hydration is another non-negotiable: 'I usually drink so much water that it's comical,' Aniston joked. For many, the biggest takeaway from Aniston's approach isn't just the toned arms and enviable core. It's her mindset. At 56, she's swapped high-pressure workouts for a routine that prioritizes functionality, recovery, and sustainability — and the results speak for themselves. 'She values consistency over intensity,' Coleman said, noting that Aniston no longer feels the need to punish her body in pursuit of results. Instead, she's built a strong, balanced fitness foundation designed to last well into the future.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sikandar director AR Murugadoss admits shooting with Salman Khan is 'not easy': 'We have to shoot at night as he turns up to sets only by 8 PM...'
Director AR Murugadoss faced challenges while filming 'Sikandar' with Salman Khan. Khan's late arrival at 8 PM disrupted the schedule. The crew filmed day scenes at night. This unusual timing affected child actors. They often fell asleep during shoots. Salman Khan defended his timings. He said he remains disciplined once on set. Shooting with a superstar comes with its own set of challenges, and director AR Murugadoss recently opened up about his experience working with Salman Khan on Sikandar. The filmmaker revealed that the actor's unique working style, including his habit of arriving on set late in the evening, forced the crew to adjust their schedules and even film day scenes at night, creating unexpected hurdles—especially for child actors. Late night shoots In a recent YouTube podcast with Valaipechu Voice, Murugadoss spoke candidly about his experience working with Salman Khan on Sikandar, set for release in 2025. He described the challenges of collaborating with a star like Salman, noting that it was 'not easy' due to the actor's distinctive working style. The Sikandar director revealed that the team often had to wait for the 59-year-old superstar, who typically arrived on set around 8:00 pm. Accustomed to early morning shoots, the crew had to film day sequences at night, which posed a major challenge for the team. He said it wasn't easy to shoot with a star like Salman Khan. Even day scenes had to be filmed at night because Salman typically arrived on set only by 8 PM. The crew, used to early morning shoots, had to adjust to this unusual schedule. Impact on fellow actors, especially children The director also added that Salman Khan's late arrival caused problems for other actors, particularly child artists, who often grew tired and fell asleep during the night shoots. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The director, 50, recalled having to film scenes with kids at 2:00 AM, even if the scene involved them coming home from school. Salman Khan responds to rumors Earlier this year, in an interview with India Today, Salman responded to rumors about his late arrivals on set. The Tiger 3 actor said that his 'timings are different' and emphasized that once he reaches the set, he doesn't return to his vanity van or sit idle, highlighting his own approach to maintaining discipline at work. Produced under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson, Sikandar marked AR Murugadoss' theatrical return to Bollywood after a nine-year hiatus. The director had earlier helmed three Hindi films: Ghajini, Akira, and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
