At the IIFA Utsavam 2024 in Abu Dhabi, the legendary duo Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi took to the green carpet, sharing their thoughts on the evolving landscape of cinema and the empowerment of women in the industry.
When discussing the changing significance of writers in the film industry, Akhtar expressed optimism about the new generation of talent. “Even before us, it wasn’t as valued,” he noted. “There was a large island formed in the ocean, and more will form again. The work I’m seeing from the new boys and girls is very good. There are some excellent writers emerging, with a lot of talent, and that’s what makes a difference. You’ll see, they’ll make their mark.”
Akhtar also hinted at a potential reunion with his longtime collaborator Salim Khan, stating, “Dekhiye kya pata kuch bhi ho sakta hai, hum log ek baar phir kar de kuch kamaal,” indicating that fans might witness a new script from the iconic duo.
Shabana Azmi, known for portraying powerful female characters, addressed the ongoing challenges women face both on and off-screen. “India is a country that lives in several centuries simultaneously,” she explained. “There will be contradictions in terms of how empowered women are. In some instances, there’s been huge progress, while in others, we still have much more to give.”
When asked about contemporary actors embodying superstar status, Azmi pointed to Alia Bhatt. “Alia is a very, very fine actor. Although she gives the effort on set of being very effortless, I think her instincts are very good. She’s shown her versatility in diverse roles,” she said.
Azmi was also asked about which of her films she would recommend to today’s audiences if given the chance to re-release one. Without hesitation, she mentioned Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth, a film she believes served as a beacon for the women’s movement in India. “It’s significant for its portrayal of women’s struggles and empowerment,” she asserted.
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