BOMBAY TIMES EXCLUSIVE
Saiyami Kher, granddaughter of acclaimed Hindi and Marathi movie actress Usha Kiran, addresses Shabana Azmi as maushi (aunt in Marathi) as they’re household, however hearken to their banter and also you’ll know they’re extra like mates. There’s a little bit of an age reversal right here by way of manner. Saiyami is an previous soul, whereas Shabana has the spirit of a teenager. These attempting to determine the Saiyami-Shabana join, right here’s a little bit trivia. Saiyami’s aatya (father’s sister) Tanvi Azmi is married to Shabana’s brother Baba Azmi. The aunt-niece pair who shared display screen area for the primary time in R Balki’s ‘Ghoomer’ lately, took a visit down reminiscence lane via this unique interplay with us. The 2 exchanged ideas on a wide range of topics like…
Saiyami Kher and Shabana Azmi in Ghoomer
Household ties and expertise
Shabana: Saiyami took a number of performing classes from my mom, (the late Shaukat Kaifi, acclaimed theatre and movie actress). My mom was somebody who by no means minced her phrases. She stated, ‘Yeh ladki ki andar se machine chalti hai’, which was a method of claiming that Saiyami connects emotionally. She isn’t superficial. When my mom stated that about her, I took it significantly as a result of she wasn’t the one to say this stuff simply.
Saiyami: Daadi ma (Shaukat Kaifi) was variety sufficient to assist me out with my Hindi enchancment and performing. I used to be very keen on her, and she or he cherished me, too. She was an especially strict trainer. When Shabana maushi and I shot collectively, she jogged my memory a lot of her mom that I by accident known as her daadi ma a number of occasions. I keep in mind Shabana maushi telling me to work on my voice. “Don’t speak so nasal,” she would say.
Shabana Azmi and Saiyami Kher in Ghoomer
Social media and making of a star
Shabana: I’m not the type of one who likes indulging in nostalgia and say, “Humare zamane mein yeh tha, woh tha.” What number of followers you have got on social media is now a purpose for casting an upcoming actor. Earlier, you needed to carry a portfolio, then reels of your work and now it’s about isko solid karte hai, iskay itnay followers hai. You get endorsements primarily based on it, so for the youthful era it is necessary. For the senior era, it’s a query of selection — whether or not we wish to be on the market or not. Zeenat Aman and Saira Banu are on Instagram now. Zeenat has made such a dignified entry on the platform. Individuals are not going to solid us as a result of we’ve a sure variety of followers however due to our physique of labor.
Saiyami: I’m from this era, however I really feel like I’m 85. Given a selection, I’d fairly spend a night with Gulzar sahab or Javed (Akhtar) uncle than exit and occasion with 25 or 30-year-olds. We can have extra issues to speak about. I’ve by no means been a fan of social media. I really feel the main target has shifted to PR equipment and the Instagram algorithm immediately, versus what you’re speculated to do on digital camera, which is act. I hope we are able to revert to how the older era functioned; the work was purer. However we are able to’t maintain dwelling in nostalgia. We should dwell within the current and strike a greater steadiness between digital and actual.
Saiyami Kher
Overcoming profession battles
Shabana: Saiyami is a really passionate and dedicated particular person. There was a time when she went via a darkish part, and but, stored going. She didn’t hand over as a result of she had religion in her skills. She by no means let down the components she performed, however she wanted one thing the place her work can be recognised. I really feel Ghoomer (the movie directed by R Balki during which Shabana and Saiyami shared display screen area) has executed that for her. It was bodily and mentally gruelling for her.
Saiyami: I used to be not getting work after my debut movie (Mirzya, 2016). A sensible man’s writing stored me going and his identify is Javed Akhtar. I keep in mind he wrote, “Zindagi mein kyu dare kya hoga? Kuch na hua toh tajurba hoga.” That line is etched on my thoughts.
Shabana Azmi
Actors are neurotic: Shabana
Shabana says, “Acting is an interesting profession. You can come to a set feeling low after having had a nasty argument at home or show up elated if the day has been good. You can be expected to do a happy scene when you are feeling sad or vice versa. You must keep your personal feelings away and do what a scene requires of you. Which is why I say actors are neurotic. A civilised society says that you have to keep your emotions under control. Acting demands the opposite. You have to constantly keep yourself in a state of emotional preparedness.”
