Filmmaker Mira Nair Recalls Shabana Azmi Cornering Her in Five-Star Hotel’s Washroom For A Role: ‘Humari Pyaar Ki Ladai…’

Mira Nair has been one of the most acclaimed Indian-American filmmakers based in New York City. She has given some of the best movies to the world, including the 1996 film titled Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, featuring Rekha in the lead. While the movie is still banned in India, it took Rekha and Mira’s careers to new heights and went on to become a cult classic overseas. However, did you know that Shabana Azmi once wanted to work with Mira but barely got the chance?

Speaking at the New York Indian Film Festival, Mira asked Shabana to name the best directors she has worked with in her five-decade-long career. To this, Shabana replied, “I have a grouse with a director who I’ve been talking to for several years, saying that we should work together. And finally, she gives me a tiny role that doesn’t do justice to our relationship or her faith in me, and that woman is sitting next to me.”

At this, Mira laughed and shared an anecdote of one of her early interactions with Shabana when the Neerja actor chased her filmmaker into a women’s room in a five-star hotel in Juhu and said, ‘What does Rekha have that I don’t have?’ “Humari pyaar ki ladayi hui in that ladies’ room,” Mira quoted.

This isn’t the first time Shabana has discussed her competitiveness with her colleagues. Recently, she even admitted to having treated them unfairly. Reflecting on a past remark about Smita Patil, Azmi told News18 that their rivalry was not fictitious, “I feel that I did say some uncharitable things about her, which I regret,” Shabana admitted.

Regarding Shabana Azmi’s work front, the actor was last seen in Ghoomer.