Indian veteran actress Shabana Azmi has recently captivated the audience during a masterclass moderated by actress Vidya Balan at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. The two icons shared insights on their journeys, the challenges of acting across different mediums, and their thoughts on the evolution of Hindi cinema.
When asked about her experience in theatre, given her celebrated performances in plays like "Tumhari Amrita" and "Broken Images", Shabana admitted, "I still see myself as a film actor. I'm trained in cinema and understand the medium much better. However, I believe the ideal situation for an actor is to work in both mediums."
"While theatre isn't my first medium, I find it incredibly challenging. The thrill of performing live on stage is unmatched. However, I wouldn't say it's the most satisfying because a film performance lasts forever, whereas theatre is ephemeral," she added.
Vidya, too, shared her apprehensions about theatre, stating, "I've been offered a few plays, but I haven't had the courage to say yes. The idea of performing in front of a live audience is extremely intimidating."