Shabana Azmi reveals she hesitated to make Fire because of the theme of same-sex love: – Firstpost

Starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das Firewhich was directed by Deepa Mehta, was a revolutionary film in Indian cinema as it explored the dynamics of a lesbian relationship way ahead of its time.

The 1996 film garnered critical acclaim for its performance and theme, but faced severe backlash from homophobic society.

Azmi recently revealed that she was hesitant to take up the role, but it was husband Javed Akhtar and stepdaughter Zoya who encouraged her.

“I have to tell you that when it was offered to me, I really liked the script. But, I was working a lot in the slums and I felt that this would be used against me a lot, because as it is, the husbands of the women I worked with used to think that I was a very bad influence on them. . I would ask them to take their own decisions and things like that,” Azmi told India Today.

“My whole family came in support. Javed said, “See, it’s not like this won’t get you brick. It will. But if you think you can defend that, if you feel like this isn’t going to be an exploitation movie, if you feel like this is going to start a conversation, then do it. Zoya was so young. I don’t think he was even 18. I said, “we’ve been offered this and I don’t know what to do.” She asked, “Do you like the script or not?” I said, “I really like the script.” She said, “then?” So I said, “but that’s a topic.” She said, “so?” At 18, she said this! So I thought, look at the way young people think and the way we think. I felt moved and felt that this would be done sensitively, which it was,” she added.

“I also thought that India is not a monolith. Not everyone would react the same way. It is impossible. Not everyone would, but some would be outraged and overwhelmed. Some would be upset – all sorts of things. But, it would start a conversation. And finally, that’s what cinema can do. That’s what he can do. If it can start conversations instead of brushing it under the rug like it doesn’t exist, it becomes a cult film,” she pointed out.