Shabana Azmi on fame: ‘A double-edged sword that can distort sense of self’

She recently celebrated 50 years in cinema, with over 160 films spanning independent, neorealist, mainstream, and international projects.

To mark this milestone and pay tribute to her illustrious journey in the arts, Azmi returned to the stage after a significant hiatus, performing Girish Karnad’s Broken Images at the Delhi Theatre Festival.

The play delved into identity and self-perception, examining how personal and societal influences shape one’s sense of self.

Fame is a double-edged sword. It gives you visibility and a platform to influence, but it can also create a distorted sense of self

Azmi said, reflecting on the same, in an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com.

Read the edited excerpts below:

Q: What does performing on stage offer you that film acting doesn’t?

Shabana Azmi: Performing on stage provides an immediacy and a deep, live connection with the audience that films rarely do. The energy exchange is dynamic and unique with each performance. That unpredictability makes it exciting.

Unlike film, where scenes can be reshot, theatre demands complete presence, emotional depth, and stamina. The intimacy of film lies in the camera, but the intimacy of theatre lies in the raw connection between the actor and the audience, which is irreplaceable.

Q: What has been the most profound lesson you’ve learnt about fame and its impact on shaping one’s sense of identity? 

Shabana Azmi: Fame is a double-edged sword. It gives you visibility and a platform to influence, but it can also create a distorted sense of self. Early on, I learned the importance of separating self-worth from public recognition.

Fame is fleeting, and if your identity is tied to it, you risk losing yourself.

The most profound lesson I’ve learned is to stay true to my craft and focus on the work itself, not the adulation that comes with it.

Whether in cinema or theatre, what matters is the authenticity of your expression and the impact of your work, not how the public perceives it.

Q: How does performing live shape the way you create stories to inspire action, compared to film? How do you ensure the impact lasts beyond the performance?

A still from Ankur.

Shabana Azmi: Performing live creates a sense of urgency—there’s an energy that is palpable in the room, and it has the power to move people in real time. Theatre offers an opportunity to engage with the audience directly and emotionally, making it easier to inspire action.

You feel the impact instantly, and there’s a collective experience that bonds the audience and the performer. To ensure the impact lasts beyond the performance, I focus on stories that resonate with people on a personal level, stories that make them think, question, and reflect on their own lives.

Theatre, unlike film, allows for deeper engagement because the audience can’t passively consume it—they are participants in the experience.

Q: How do you keep theatre authentic while meeting modern audience expectations in today’s digital age?

Shabana Azmi: The challenge is to remain true to the essence of theatre, which is rooted in human connection. I believe authenticity in theatre comes from the rawness of live performance, and the vulnerability of being on stage with nothing to hide behind.

That said, modern audiences are often conditioned by technology, so incorporating elements like multimedia can enhance the storytelling without compromising its integrity.

Broken Images encapsulates both theatre and technology through its live performance and interactions with a digital image. The key is to use these tools as enhancements, not distractions. At its core, theatre is about truth and emotion, and as long as we stay focused on that, it remains authentic, even in today’s digital age.