Shabana Azmi encouraged Sonam to become actress

Actress Shabana Azmi at the trailer launch of "Neerja" on Thursday revealed that Anil Kapoor asked her to dissuade daughter Sonam from becoming an actress but Azmi instead encouraged her to take up the profession.

"Anil Kapoor had sent her to me and said that this girl wants to become an actress, please make her understand so that she changes her mind. And I seriously told him that I would. She was very scholarly, so I told her to go and study at the London School of Economics. And when she came back she said she wanted to be an actress. I told her, be an actress, I will be with you all the way," Shabana said.

"And when Sunita (Sonama's mother) approached me and said that she wanted Sonam to dance, I introduced her to a Kathak teacher. So, for me she is my daughter. She has been my 'bachcha' for many years since the time she was very small," said the actress.

Azmi plays the role of Rama Bhanot, the mother of Sonam's character Neerja. Incidentally, as seen in the trailer, she asks why Neerja wants to become an air hostess despite doing well in the modelling industry.

The two are seen sharing a close bond with Rama later shown as being proud of Neerja's decision to become an air hostess.

Azmi was invited by the Bhanot family to present the Neerja Bhanot award in Chandigarh where she had met Rama even before the idea of this film had not come about.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate that I met Rama Bhanot. There was a certain connection that was formed between the two of us. She came across as a large-hearted person," said Shabana at the trailer launch.

"And the central point of this character was that she was a very frank person. I've tried my best to portray this frankness on screen. My only aim was to portray the character with full honesty and without any manipulation," she added.

Neerja Bhanot was an air hostess who had heroically braved hijackers in 1986 on a flight and protected passengers and sacrificed her life in the process. Directed by Ram Madhvani, "Neerja" is set to release sometime in 2016.

4 Comments

Recommended News

Recent News

Ranbir Kapoor Says Prabhas Impressed Him Ranbir Kapoor Says Prabhas Impressed Him The series of laurels on Prabhas for his performance in Baahubali 2 The Conclusion continues and most times it comes…… Boxoffice! Aamir Khan's Dangal grosses 300 Crores within a Week Boxoffice! Aamir Khan's Dangal grosses 300 Crores within a Week Aamir Khan's Dangal has turned out to be a money spinner this year end.The film based on the life of…… The Best Film of 2016 announced The Best Film of 2016 announced About 23 Film Critics assembled to pick up the finest feature films, actors and technicians of Bollywood for the year…… The Best Film of 2016 announced The Best Film of 2016 announced About 23 Film Critics assembled to pick up the finest feature films, actors and technicians of Bollywood for the year…… YOU WILL BE SURPRISED TO KNOW DANGAL’S MONDAY COLLECTION ALONE YOU WILL BE SURPRISED TO KNOW DANGAL’S MONDAY COLLECTION ALONE Aamir khan’s Dangal is making waves world over and carries both the tags, critical acclaim and commercial success along with…… HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLU BHAI! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLU BHAI! Salman Khan celebrates his birthday today (27th December).  The actor turns 51! Salman had just one release in 2016 which…… Aamir Khan’s Dangal astonishing 4th day collection Aamir Khan’s Dangal astonishing 4th day collection Aamir khan’s Dangal is making waves world over and carries both the tags, critical acclaim and commercial success along with…… Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ continues its dream run in South India Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ continues its dream run in South India Disney’s Dangal continues its dream run at the box office. The Tamil and Telugu dubbed version of the film which…… Dangal Enters 100 crores Club in Three days Dangal Enters 100 crores Club in Three days Withstanding the demonetisation effect and also making waves with its highly emotional content, Aamir Khan's latest film "Dangal" unleashed it's…… Aamir Khan gets shock on Facebook Aamir Khan gets shock on Facebook Aamir Khan’s Dangal movie, released on Friday, is running to packed houses. While it collected Rs 30 crore on first…… More Hindi News