Shabana Azmi On Feminism And Her Powerful Role In ‘Dabba Cartel’
NEW DELHI (ANI)- ‘Dabba Cartel’ offers a unique take on crime drama, focusing on five middle-class women whose lives are upended when their dabba business inadvertently gets entangled with a dangerous drug cartel.
With an ensemble cast featuring Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, and others, the Netflix series promises deep storytelling and compelling performances.
Shabana Azmi, known for her portrayal of complex characters, plays Kashi—an enigmatic woman whose quiet strength commands attention.
Azmi shared her thoughts on choosing the role, saying, “At this stage in my career, there is no checklist—only the desire to take on roles that genuinely interest me.”
Speaking about Kashi’s intrigue, she said, “For the first two episodes, you don’t quite know what she’s up to. She seems nondescript, but there are subtle hints that she is much more than she appears to be.”
Describing Kashi’s strength, Azmi noted, “She doesn’t need to shout or scream. Her power lies in her conviction. It was fascinating to play someone who holds authority without being overtly loud about it.”
Azmi also discussed feminism and gender equality, emphasizing, “A woman doesn’t have the option to view the world from anything other than a feminine lens. That’s something both men and women need to understand.”
Highlighting the importance of balance in the workplace, she added, “It’s the yin and yang—when perfectly balanced, a person truly becomes complete.”
Reflecting on gender stereotypes, she shared, “I grew up in a commune where women had equal opportunities. I later realized that my upbringing was an exception, not the rule. Society remains deeply patriarchal, and women sometimes accept certain liberties being taken with them.”
Referencing the quote, “She remembered who she was, and the game changed,” Azmi said she had always been encouraged to speak her mind and stand by her convictions. “It’s not always about outward battles but knowing when to speak up for what matters.”
In a lighter moment, when asked if Kashi’s persona mirrored her own, Azmi joked, “If you’re suggesting I have criminal tendencies, I can promise you that’s not the case!” However, she acknowledged, “Kashi’s strength comes from understanding that power doesn’t need to be shouted—it stems from conviction and authority, not anger.”
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