Veteran actor Shabana Azmi revealed on Saturday that the climax of her 1996 critically acclaimed film Fire was altered based on a suggestion from her stepson, actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. This change added a new dimension to the film, which remains a landmark in Indian cinema.
Fire, an Indo-Canadian film written and directed by Deepa Mehta, delved into themes of love, identity, and societal expectations through the story of Radha (played by Shabana Azmi) and Sita (portrayed by Nandita Das), two women who form an emotional and romantic bond. During a masterclass at the Mumbai Film Festival, where Azmi spoke with actor Vidya Balan, she shared that before accepting the role, she had a conversation with her family about the film’s sensitive subject matter.
"What’s interesting is that Farhan is younger than Zoya and I had discussed this film with him back then. He was very young and I told him to read the script. And he loved it," she said. To which Farhan said, "I don’t like the end because this woman (Radha) dies. It will ruin the whole purpose of the film and people might think, you did something wrong. She must survive," Azmi said, adding that she shared the feedback with Deepa Mehta.
She said, "Let me think about it." That’s what set the film, so it was my entire family that came and supported me for the film,” Shabana added.
Fire was among the first mainstream Bollywood films to portray homosexual relationships, and one of the earliest to showcase a lesbian relationship on screen. Shabana Azmi revealed that she carefully considered the role before accepting it, concerned about how it might affect her ongoing social work, especially her efforts with women in the slums. Despite these reservations, she ultimately chose to be part of the groundbreaking film.
"What are you doing now? I’m offered this film and I like this film but I’ve this problem." She asked, ‘Why?’ and I told her, "I’m playing this character.’ She said, ‘If you like the script then what’s the big deal?" I thought there’s a generation of people who think differently,” Azmi said.
Azmi fondly recalled the advice her husband, Javed Akhtar, gave her during that time. "Javed said something truly beautiful to me," she shared, reflecting on the wisdom and support he offered as she made her decision to take on the bold role in Fire. He said, "See, Shabana if you are willing to take flak, feel you can treat the subject sensitively and relate to this women, then go ahead and do it, knowing that you’ll get flak but also knowing that you will do something that you believe in. So don’t worry about it’," she recounted.
Azmi noted that it was remarkable how Fire ignited discussions about same-sex relationships in society. She emphasized the film's role in encouraging open conversations around a topic that was often shrouded in silence.
(With inputs from PTI)
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