Shabana Azmi On Why She Can’t Be As Vocal As Meryl Streep On Political Issues

Magical Meryl mesmerized the world with her anti-Trump tirade at the Golden Globe awards. She lashed out at America’s President-elect with a coherent vehemence which instantly connected to all the people across the world who stand united against violence and prejudice.

In India we’ve Shabana Azmi, as powerful in person as she is on screen and every bit our own Meryl Streep. Shabana has been exceptionally vocal in the past about political issues such as slumdwellers’ eviction .

However she says it is impossible for entertainers in India to express their opinion on political issues for fear of a backlash.

Related Post

Says Shabana, “After Meryl spoke out she got the wholehearted support of the entire Hollywood fraternity. In India no one will speak up in support of a celebrity’s political stand for the fear of a backlash. There is no chance that Meryl Streep’s  films will be boycotted or theatres burned down when her next film is released because freedom of expression is respected there. Here we all knows what happens.”

Shabana reveals how she was muzzled on a very serious issue when  films with her in the lead were threatened with dire consequences. “A pact was made between the Govt and 12 producers that I would be restrained from speaking on the Babri Masjid issue. My film Dharavi was pulled off the theatres, screens showing Fire were vandalized. NanditaDas and I were removed from Water after we had shaved off  our heads.”

However these attempts to deter her spirit didn’t work. She continued to be vocal when necessary. “ Freedom of expression is the hallmark of a democracy. When a hue and cry was made about the staging of Mee Nathuram Godse Bolte  I was the only person who stood up in Parliament and said it should be allowed to play because it had the valid certification. Holding onto a principle ,even when you disagree with the contents , is the true test.”

Vaibhav Choudhary

Leave a Comment
Leave a Comment
Published by
Vaibhav Choudhary

Recent Posts

“It’s  A  Different Kashmir Now,” Vedang Raina On His Recent Visit To The Valley

Have you  been mobbed after Jigra release? I haven’t really stepped out yet, so no… Read More

24th November 2024

All We Imagine As Light,  Magical Merger  Of  Workaday Reality & Surrealism

If you can get  across one major challenge  in the plot towards  the  end  of… Read More

24th November 2024

30 Years  Of Karan Arjun, Raakhee  Gulzar Reminisces

Rakesh Roshan’s  1994  blockbuster Karan  Johar has  re-opened in  movie theatres this week. Although the… Read More

24th November 2024

“Nowadays  I’m Living Out Of Suitcases,”  Shabana Azmi Sighs  Before Taking Off To Be Honoured At The Nantes Film Festival

Shabana  Azmi is  in and out of cities  these days .Shabana Azmi’s  50 year journey… Read More

17th November 2024

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels Rating: *** ½ Applause Entertainment’s  Mithya:… Read More

8th November 2024

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A Run For Their  Money

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A  Run For Their  Money Rating: ****  To set  the record straight,  Raj-DK’s  Indian avatar … Read More

8th November 2024