Shabana Turns Villain for the First Time

Shabana Azmi has never played a negative character in her 55-year acting career. Director Nitin Kakkar cast him as the villain in Avarapan 2.

Initially taken aback and reluctant to talk about the project when approached, Shabana, who is currently shooting in London, eventually agreed to the development, although details are kept tightly under wraps. “I always wanted to play the villain. In fact, years ago, I had played a morally compromised character in BR Ishaara’s Log Kya Kehenge. I was cast in the role of a woman who kills her stepson. But I have never played the villain. So yes, it is fun. Mogambo khush hua,” he jokes, referring to the iconic villain Mogambo in Mr India.

For Shabana, 2025 was a year of renewed challenges. “I had the opportunity to work with Sunny Deol and (director) Raj Kumar Santoshi for the first time in Lahore in 1947. I have never cried so much on screen before. The woman just cries and cries.” When asked when the film will be released, he said, “You will have to ask the producer Aamir Khan.”