HomeEntertainmentWhen Shabana Azmi revealed she was jealous of Rekha after being offered a 'tiny role' in a film: 'What does Rekha have that I don’t have?'

When Shabana Azmi revealed she was jealous of Rekha after being offered a 'tiny role' in a film: 'What does Rekha have that I don’t have?'

Shabana Azmi, known for her versatile roles in Hindi cinema, once became the subject of a humorous story shared by filmmaker Mira Nair, revealing a playful moment of jealousy involving actress Rekha. The anecdote offered a glimpse into Shabana's lighthearted and candid personality.

April 25, 2025 / 21:01 IST
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Speaking at the New York Indian Film Festival, Shabana Azmi once openly expressed her conflicted emotions about collaborating with celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair.
Speaking at the New York Indian Film Festival, Shabana Azmi once openly expressed her conflicted emotions about collaborating with celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair.

One of Hindi cinema's most recognisable and adaptable actresses, Shabana Azmi, has made a lasting impression in a variety of genres, from her groundbreaking parallel films of the 1970s to her significant roles in mainstream films.

It's interesting to note that filmmaker Mira Nair once shared a humorous story about Shabana and Rekha that showed a brief moment of playful jealousy and provided a unique look into the actress's open and funny side.

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Speaking at the New York Indian Film Festival, Shabana Azmi once openly expressed her conflicted emotions about collaborating with celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair. Shabana, a long-time fan of Mira's work, acknowledged that she had hoped for a more significant and meaningful role, despite having a minor part in Mira's 2012 film The Reluctant Fundamentalist. The seasoned actress acknowledged feeling a little let down and even alluded to a tense moment between them as a result.

Shabana added a humorous note to her observations by mentioning Mira Nair's seeming preference for the actress Rekha. The audience laughed when she joked that she felt a little jealous because Rekha always seemed to be Mira's first choice. This observation provided a unique look at the amicable rivalries that occasionally occur even between movie stars.