Shabana Azmi’s 50 years in film will be celebrated at the New York Indian Film Festival
Next month, the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), an annual festival of films and documentaries from the Indian subcontinent, will honor renowned Indian star Shabana Azmi’s historic 50-year cinematic odyssey.
The 24th NYIFF, which is regarded as the most prominent and longest-running Indian film festival in North America, will take place from May 31 to June 2 and include 49 narratives, documentaries, and short films with stars including Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah.
The 1996 film “Fire,” which was directed by Deepa Mehta, will be shown at the gala to commemorate Azmi’s 50 years in Indian and worldwide cinema. This momentous occasion will take place in 2024.
Since the beginning, I have been involved with the NYIFF. The leaps and bounds in improvement it has made over the years give me hope. According to a NYIFF release, Azmi said, “I am happy that my 50th year is being celebrated here and I look forward to it.”
Ankur, directed by Shyam Benegal, is Azmi’s landmark film debut. She went on to play pioneering parts that won her five National Film Awards and other international awards. Azmi, 73, will discuss her “remarkable journey” at this year’s NYIFF, according to a release.
In addition, it said that Azmi’s “dedication to social activism, particularly for the rights of women and the underprivileged, is truly inspiring,” going beyond her accomplishments in film.
The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient have acted in more than 140 Hindi movies and 12 foreign projects, including “In Custody” by Ismail Merchant, “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mira Nair, and “Midnight’s Children” by Mehta.
“From her compelling performance in ‘Ankur’ to her more recent roles in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ and ‘Ghoomer,’ she has collaborated on international projects such as Steven Spielberg’s prestigious miniseries ‘Halo’ and Shekhar Kapur’s ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?'”
“Azmi’s resume demonstrates her unmatched talent and variety of professions. Shabana Azmi’s history as a pioneer in Indian film is unmatched even as she continues to enliven stages and screens alike, according to the statement.
The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is presenting the festival, which will begin with the film “Dear Jassi.” Tarsem Singh, an Indian-American director, has created music videos for legendary bands like Lady Gaga and REM in addition to working with Jennifer Lopez and Julia Roberts in other projects. The Arati Kadav film “Mrs,” starring Sanya Malhotra, will wrap off the festival.
The Umesh Chronicles, directed by Pooja Kaul and starring Bachchan and Vivek Gomber, as well as Naseeruddin Shah’s short “Khidki,” the documentary “Merchant Ivory,” and Tannishtha Chatterjee in American director Wendy Bednarz’s feature debut “Yellow Bus” are among this year’s festival highlights.
