The Casting Revolution: Shabana Azmi on the New Faces of Hindi Cinema

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi highlights the transformative role of casting directors in celebrating diverse, authentic talent in Bollywood. Speaking about her latest project, 'Dabba Cartel', she reflects on changes in her five-decade career, emphasizing more realistic portrayals and the inclusion of fascinating faces in cinema.

Celebrated actor Shabana Azmi has lauded the evolving role of casting directors in Bollywood, attributing them to a significant shift towards casting more diverse and authentic faces in films.

At the recent launch event for her Netflix series 'Dabba Cartel', Azmi, who has spent over five decades in the industry, discussed these changes. The series, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, tells the story of five women whose dabba service unexpectedly turns into a high-stakes drug venture.

Azmi stressed that the presence of genuine characters has pushed mainstream actors to deliver more realistic performances, a development she calls a welcome shift. 'Dabba Cartel', a collaboration with Netflix and Excel Entertainment, premieres on February 28, showcasing an ensemble cast including Jyotika and Nimisha Sajayan.