‘I surrendered to Karan Johar’: Shabana Azmi talks on working in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh starrer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is all set to hit the theatres on July 28. This film is directed by ace filmmaker Karan Johar and is one of the most-awaited films of the year.

In the film, veteran actress Shabana Azmi will be essaying a supporting role. Sharing about her experience on working in a Karan Johar directorial, Azmi told news portal News18, “Doing the film was a ball. I completely surrendered myself to Karan Johar and Manish Malhotra (costume designer). If people like me, it’s to their credit and if they hate me, it will be their fault.”

The 72-year-old Azmi has worked in films for over 50 years and has been a part of as many as 160 films. Being a part of this Karan Johar directorial is a great pleasure for the legendary actress. Interestingly, this is the first time that Azmi has been directed by Johar himself.

Karan Johar, too, is making a comeback as a director with this upcoming theatrical. He last directed the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor in lead roles.

The upcoming film also features actress Jaya Bachchan in a supporting role. To this, Azmi says, “Jaya is the reason I joined the film institute (Film & Television Institute of India). When I saw her in a diploma film of the film institute called Suman, I was completely taken aback because I had never seen that kind of acting in Hindi films.”

Continuing further, Azmi also spoke about how elderly actresses do not get as much work in the industry as compared to their contemporary actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, etc. She says, “Unfortunately, I don’t have much work with her and that’s something I really feel sad about.”

Azmi will be essaying Bhatt’s grandmother in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.