Latest news with #Shabana
India.com
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Have Been Sleeping On The Streets... Javed Akhtar Speaks AGAINST Pakistani Actor Bushra Ansaris Statement On His Difficulty Finding A Rental Home
New Delhi: Veteran lyrist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar speaks against Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari who reacted sharply to Akhtar's recent speech where he strongly condemned the killing of 26 tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam. Ansari reacted sharply, saying, 'Unko toh bas bahana chahiye. Bombay mein makaan kiraye pe nahi milta tha (They just needed an excuse... that they couldn't find a house to rent in Bombay)' She also added, 'Chup ho jaayein. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh chup hain (Stay quiet. Even Naseeruddin Shah is quiet)' In a recent interview with the Lallantop, Akhtar reacted to the criticism made by the actress, he said, "There is this Pakistani actress, Bushra Ansari, she often talks about me. She once advised me to keep quiet." Sholay writer continued, "My question to her is: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? Who gave you this right and why do you expect me to take your advise?'' When the interviewer mentioned that the actress claimed he doesn't even get a house to rent in Mumbai, Javed sarcastically replied. 'Yes right, Shabana and I have been sleeping on the streets lately. Kya yaar, ab kya bole?' Javed also mentioned, 'We may have several internal issues in India, but when an outsider comments, I am proud to be Indian. Why do they forget that? I won't stay silent.' Watch The Interview Here: Javed Akhtar recalled an incident that led Shabana Azmi to criticize those who faced challenges in renting a house. He shared, 'About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat as an investment. However, the broker informed her that the owner would not sell the house to a Muslim. The reason behind this refusal was deeply rooted in the owner's past; his parents had been displaced from Sindh by Pakistanis. Anyone with such a profound wound would understandably react in a certain way. If Shabana was denied the flat that day, it was not solely because she was a Muslim, but rather because the owner was projecting his own feelings of revenge stemming from his parents' experiences. So, who is Bushra Ansari to criticize this situation and tell me to remain silent? They should reflect on their own actions before passing judgment.'
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shabana Azmi was denied a flat because of her faith, Javed Akhtar reflects on bitterness of Partition: ‘Apne girebaan mein jhaanko'
In a candid conversation with The Lallantop, veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar recounted an incident from about 20–25 years ago, when his wife, actor Shabana Azmi, was denied the opportunity to purchase a flat simply because of her religion. He narrated the entire incident: 'This happened about 20–25 years ago. Shabana wanted to buy a flat as an investment in a building, and they refused. The broker clearly told us they wouldn't sell a flat to a Muslim.' Javed then reflected on the deeper reasons why such discrimination is so common: 'Who were these people? They were the ones whose parents lived in Sindh, who were expelled from Sindh, taking away their land, property, social respect, profession, everything. They were forced out and made to come here like refugees. These very Sindhis sold clothes and chhole on the streets, and through their hard work built their position. But the bitterness of what happened to them is still inside them. And that bitterness gets taken out on us. So who is responsible? You are, you who expelled them. And now you tell me they didn't give me a house? They didn't give it because you drove them from their own house. People have no idea what the real problem is.' Also Read | Javed Akhtar on Bollywood's silence over Operation Sindoor: 'Kuch log abhi abhi paisa aur naam kamane mein lage hain…' He continued: 'I ask myself, I live in Bombay, a non-Maharashtrian who came here at 19. I worked hard, made a name for myself, I got a house. But if tomorrow someone told me to leave everything in 24 hours, carrying all my belongings in a bundle, I ask, where would I go? Anywhere! If I had to leave my house, my reputation, my money, my status, my friends behind, and see my companions killed on the way, and finally be put in a tent and handed a plate, how would I feel? Toh yeh aadmi jisne tumko ghar nahi diya, usse blame kar rahi ho? Apne girebaan mein jhaanko (And now you blame the man who didn't give you a house? Look into your own conscience)' He shared this story in response to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari's claim that 'no one in Mumbai rents homes to Muslims.' Before narrating the incident, Akhtar laughed and sarcastically said, 'Yes, of course! Shabana and I are sleeping on the streets now.' He strongly questioned who had the authority to silence him: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? She said Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, so I should too. But who is she to decide when I should speak? Who gave her that right?' He acknowledged the internal issues within India but refused to stay silent when criticism comes from outside: 'Yes, we Indians do have our internal issues. But when someone from outside points fingers, I am first and foremost an Indian. I won't stay silent.'
India Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Thank you for not doing it: Shabana Azmi to Aparna Sen for turning down Ankur
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi and actor-filmmaker Aparna Sen came together for a heartfelt session at the Habitat Film Festival, where they reflected on their bond, remembered the late filmmaker Shyam Benegal, and celebrated Shabana's 50-year milestone in cinema. The chat was more like a tete-a-tete between two friends, who fondly referred to each other as Munni (Shabana) and Reena (Aparna), while the audience listened in like friendly conversation, marked by warmth and wit, began with Aparna Sen paying tribute to Shyam Benegal, who died in December last year. "It's a loss, but he's left behind such wonderful films and memories. That is what we have to celebrate today. And along with that, we must celebrate Shabana's 50 years of acting. She is an inspiration to all the actresses who came after her,' Aparna said, before turning to Shabana with a smile, adding, "Really, you are."Shabana, with her trademark wit, quipped, "You never told me that when I was doing four films with you." Aparna responded, "At that time it was difficult." She went on to reveal that before Shabana, Benegal had approached her to play Lakshmi's role, which earned Shabana her first National Award. "Now, let me tell you something. Shyam had asked me to play the role of Lakshmi in 'Ankur'."advertisementShabana playfully interrupted, 'Thank you for not doing it!' Shabana Azmi and Aparna Sen at the 17th Habitat Film Festival. Aparna continued, 'My loss was Shabana's gain. It was Shyam's first film and when he sent me the synopsis, I saw that the role was of a Hyderabadi servant girl who speaks smatterings of Telugu. Immediately, I was terrified. I didn't say that to him though. I just said thank you, but I don't think I'll do it."She added that if Benegal had been probed further, she would've given in: "And, that would have been a disaster because we wouldn't have had Shabana. I was so happy when I saw her in Ankur - and you were just wonderful.'Reflecting on her debut with 'Ankur', Shabana called working with Shyam Benegal a transformative experience: 'It wasn't just working with a director, it was an exercise in knowing myself. I hung on to every word he said."She added that Benegal was warm and had such faith in his actors that they felt confident taking fondly recalled travelling to Berlin with Benegal for the film's screening. 'It was my first time abroad. I just wanted to rush to the malls and shop,' she laughed, adding, 'But Shyam would sit and talk about the taxi driver, the garden, the history of the place. He taught me that there's so much more to experience."She also praised his meticulous nature. "He'd plan our entire festival itinerary, ensuring we watched the right films. He was so invested in learning and sharing knowledge." Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag played pivotal roles in Ankur. Aparna then brought up Shabana's gold medal from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), jokingly asking if she brought it to the set for confidence. Shabana responded, 'No, not at all. It was in my being.'Shabana recalled preparing for the role of Lakshmi. She said she had never even stepped into a village before shooting 'Ankur.' 'When I reached Yellareddiguda, the village where we shot, Shyam asked me to just wear my costume and walk around. The tailor came to take my measurements, and I was shocked — a male tailor in a village! That's how I began," she shared that she didn't know how to speak Telugu, but she would speak Dakhini. Shabana said she was familiar with the dialect, having visited Hyderabad often, which helped her essay the Benegal's 'Ankur' won three National Film Awards and was nominated for a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1974. You May Also Like
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shabana Azmi drops a throwback photo featuring Sridevi; fan says 'Feels surreal to look at the late actress again'
's social media is a goldmine for Bollywood fans, packed with heartfelt memories and insightful stories. Her Instagram timeline offers a beautiful blend of personal moments and professional reflections that never fail to bring a smile. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recently, the Dabba Cartel star took fans on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Check out the post here: Fans Get Emotional Seeing Sridevi Again On May 19, the evergreen star shared a throwback photo from their 2017 Diwali celebration at her Mumbai home. The picture featured , Richa Chadha, screenwriter , and designer Manish Malhotra, all dressed to impress in festive ethnic wear. What truly caught everyone's attention, though, was the presence of the late legendary actress Sridevi. Dressed in a stunning white and pink saree paired with a contrasting blue and yellow blouse, Sridevi looked radiant as ever. The group posed with warm smiles, capturing a moment that now feels even more special in retrospect. Sharing the touching photo, Shabana wrote, '#Niranjan Iyer playing the photo bomber! At a Diwali party at Janki Kutir some years ago." The throwback picture tugged at heartstrings on social media, sparking a wave of emotions among fans and industry friends. As soon as it was shared, the post was flooded with love, nostalgia, and heartfelt reactions. While one fan wrote, 'Feels surreal to look at Sridevi again', another one added, 'This frame holds more star power than a Diwali sky'. A fan also commented, 'Sridevi and the great Shabana Azmi – what great talents both of them'. Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, in Dubai, where she was attending a family function. The iconic actress died at the age of 54 due to accidental drowning, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be cherished by fans worldwide. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What's Next for Shabana Azmi On the work front, Shabana Azmi was last seen in the Netflix crime thriller Dabba Cartel, which premiered on February 28. Set in the bustling suburbs of Thane, the series explores ambition and danger colliding at every turn. Directed by Hitesh Bhatia and produced by Excel Entertainment, the show was created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda. The ensemble cast includes Anjali Anand, Jyotika, Sai Tamhankar, Shalini Pandey, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, Bhupendra Singh Jadawat, and alongside Shabana. Up next, Shabana will next be seen in Lahore 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Backed by Aamir Khan Productions, the much-anticipated film features a stellar cast including , , Ali Fazal, and Karan Deol, alongside the veteran actress.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cooku With Comali 6: Shabana Shajahan, the dazzling young actress set to shine in the kitchen
The culinary chaos and comedy of Cooku With Comali is back, and the upcoming sixth season promises a fresh mix of flavours, fun, and fan-favourite faces. Among the most talked-about celebrity contestants this season is none other than popular television actress Shabana Shajahan , whose entry has already stirred excitement among fans. Who is Shabana Shajahan? Shabana Shajahan is a celebrated television actress best known for her lead role in the hit Tamil serial Sembaruthi . With her expressive acting, charming smile, and undeniable screen presence, Shabana quickly became one of the most beloved stars in the Tamil TV industry . Born and brought up in Kerala, she made her mark in Tamil and Malayalam television, earning accolades and a massive fan following. A social media sensation as well, Shabana is admired not just for her performances but also for her candid, relatable personality off-screen. Now, she's all set to showcase a new side of herself—as a 'Cook' in the Cooku With Comali kitchen. What to Expect from Shabana in Cooku With Comali 6 ? Known for her quick wit and lively energy, Shabana is expected to be a firecracker in the CWC kitchen. Whether she's whipping up a dish or getting caught in the comedic chaos created by her Comali partner, fans can look forward to plenty of laughter and memorable moments. Her natural charm and enthusiasm could make her one of the standout contestants this season. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads View Deals Undo Hosted by the ever-popular Rakshan and judged by Chef Damu, Chef Koushik Shankar, and Madhampatty Rangaraj, the show is set to deliver another round of entertainment gold. Cooku With Comali Season 6 is scheduled to premiere on May 4 at 8 PM, with episodes airing every weekend. The buzz is already building on social media as fans gear up to see their favourite stars in aprons instead of scripts. As the new season kicks off, all eyes are on Shabana Shajahan.
