Shabana Azmi recently shared her experience of filming intimate scenes with Nandita Das for Deepa Mehta’s controversial film Fire (1996). Speaking candidly, Azmi recalled an awkward yet professional moment where Nandita placed her finger on Azmi’s lips during a scene, instantly easing the tension and helping them stay in character.
Azmi emphasized the challenges of portraying such bold narratives at the time and praised Nandita’s professionalism. The film remains iconic for addressing LGBTQ+ themes, sparking debates nationwide. When the movie was released in India in 1998, it sparked a number of protests. Fire was sent back for further review after the censor board had approved it unedited. In India, the movie spurred discussions regarding homosexual and lesbian rights.
Political parties and organizations harshly criticized a number of the movie’s scenes, calling them “immoral, pornographic, and against Indian culture.” The movie would “spoil Indian women,” according to some. After filming the intimate scenes with Nandita, which were unfamiliar to both of them, Shabana Azmi has now spoken out.
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