Shabana Azmi on Dabba Cartel: 'Bahu ne hukum diya, beta produce kar raha hai, meri aukaat thi ki main na bolu?'

Netflix’s upcoming crime thriller Dabba Cartel is set to premiere on February 28, 2025, and the recently released trailer has already generated buzz. The series, backed by Excel Entertainment, features an ensemble cast led by Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Shalini Pandey, Sai Tamhankar, and Anjali Anand. At the trailer launch, the cast shared insights into their roles and what drew them to the project.

Shabana Azmi on why she couldn’t refuse the project

Speaking about her role in Dabba Cartel, veteran actor Shabana Azmi revealed how she couldn’t refuse the project, especially with her daughter-in-law involved in the process. “Bahu ne hukum diya, beta produce kar raha hai, meri aukaat thi ki main na bolu? Ghar ka mamla tha. (My daughter-in-law gave the order; my son is producing it. How could I refuse? It was a family matter.)”

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However, she added that the role itself was incredibly intriguing. “No, the character is very fascinating. You have no idea where she is going or what she is going to be doing. At this point, it just came my way, and I got very excited. I look forward to it.”

Jyotika on the women-led team of Dabba Cartel

Jyotika, who plays a pivotal role in the series, expressed her excitement about working with a powerhouse team. “I say, What is there not to draw me to the stories? Firstly, Shabana Azmi—she was the powerhouse name to just be attached to—and of course, Excel Entertainment. I am very attached to this because there are a lot of women heading the show; it was a huge women's team that worked on Dabba Cartel. Even our crew had 70-80% women on set. I think just for the fact that this is absolute women power, there's no reason not to be on it.”

Working with Shabana Azmi was a fulfilling experience for Shalini Pandey. “I have my mom and dad love Shabana Azmi; I have heard about her from them. I have seen her films and have been a huge fan. Just to be a part of a cast like this, it's a privilege. It is a very enriching experience just to stand alongside all the women. We had a lot of fun.”

Giving a glimpse into her character, she shared, “My character seems like a very sweet and homely girl, which she is. When she goes through turmoil and loses her innocence, she does not even know what depth she has. I have, as a character, discovered that depth while doing this. It was a great experience for me.”

Sai Tamhankar hinted at her intense role in the series, revealing how her character is deeply involved in a crime setting. “Roz subah police station jaakar baithti hoon. (Every morning, I sit at the police station.)”

She also acknowledged the high standards set by the director: “Every scene was testing because our captain is very hard to please. It's a pleasure and privilege working with such amazing people, and I am just very happy to be here.”

Anjali Anand on joining Dabba Cartel at the last minute

Anjali Anand, who unexpectedly joined the project, expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Shabana Azmi once more. “I had already had it in me that I could give it to her. I am a survivor and fighter myself, so I really enjoyed another flavour. It's a different character from what I played before, and everyone made it really easy for me. I was the last addition to the cast, and it all happened very fast. I had not even read the script, but I got a call, and within two minutes, I was in. The third time I got to work with Shabana Azmi, and who would say no to that?”

Dabba Cartel promises to be an exhilarating journey, delving into the realm of crime through a distinctive narrative led by a woman. With an ensemble cast bringing their A-game, the series is set to be one of the most anticipated releases on Netflix in 2025.

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