Mee Raqsam, directed by Baba Azmi, has been chosen as the opening movie of the 2020 Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (CoSAFF), which kicks off on October 3. The recognition only goes on to reaffirm Shabana Azmi's faith in the movie — the senior actor was so moved by the story of Maryam, who aspires to become a Bharatnatyam dancer, that she turned presenter for the film. "It's an honour to be the opening film of any festival. I wish the gala could be held physically instead of virtually, but the silver lining is that our movie will reach so many people," says Shabana.

While spreading the larger message of secularism, the film also focuses on the beautiful father-daughter bond as Maryam's father stands against Muslim fundamentalist leaders and helps her pursue her dream. "The father is shown as a humble tailor in the village, but he stands up for his daughter with such dignity. It is so different from the toxic masculinity that we see around. The film emphasises that we need to redefine masculinity; it's not about power and muscle, masculinity is about being gentle and sensitive," says Shabana, adding that the character reminded her of poet-father Kaifi Azmi. "He did not have an iota of fear in him, and was so gentle. I had never heard him raise his voice." The drama, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Aditi Subedi, is Baba and Shabana's tribute to their late father.

Happy to resume work on Advani's web show after HC dismisses rule barring artistes over 65 from filming, Naseeruddin Shah hopes shoots in the post-COVID world will be streamlined
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 22, 2020)

Naseeruddin Shah has little patience for idleness, which is why the Coronavirus lockdown has been admittedly hard on him. What did he miss the most during the period? "The stage," he says, in a heartbeat. With the restrictions being lifted in phases, the veteran, 70, is glad to resume work on Nikkhil Advani's web series. "On August 25, I will head to Rajasthan, where we will film Kaun Banega Shekhawati for a month. It's a comedy revolving around an idiotic king and his four daughters," he grins.

Earlier this month, the Bombay High Court dismissed the state government's regulation that barred artistes and technicians over 65 years of age from shooting. With units stringently following safety guidelines, the actor is aware that shooting in the post-COVID world will be a novel experience. "It will be different, but I wonder if it will last. I have always thought there were too many people on sets, doing nothing. Now, shoots will become more streamlined and cost-effective."

Mee Raqsam, which dropped on ZEE5 yesterday, sees him play a Muslim fundamentalist leader who opposes a young girl's dream of becoming a Bharat-natyam dancer. Ask him how he imbibes a character whose ideals he does not believe in, and he explains, "For the duration of a scene, I made it my business to be convinced about what the character said. As much as I disagree with them personally, I said the lines with conviction. The audience must know how to separate the character from the actor." The drama, directed by Baba Azmi and presented by his sister Shabana, is an ode to their late father Kaifi Azmi. Mention the poet, and Shah says, "When I was doing Mirza Ghalib, Shabana said, 'You must talk to abba'. But I was too much in awe of Kaifi saab to strike a conversation."

Taken by the film's message of secularism, Shabana Azmi on presenting Mee Raqsam as a tribute to poet-father Kaifi Azmi
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 11, 2020)

It is not easy to win praise from Shabana Azmi. But cinematographer brother Baba Azmi received the biggest compliment from her after she watched his directorial debut, Mee Raqsam, featuring Aditi Subedi who hails from Mijwan. The film — revolving around a Muslim teenager who dreams of becoming a Bharat natyam dancer, and earns the wrath of Muslim and Hindu fundamentalists — left her so moved that Shabana offered to come on board as a presenter, a first in her 46-year career.

"The subject has to be close to her heart. Shabana will not present a movie only because it is directed by her brother. The thought of the film [secularism] must have appealed to her. We have been brought up in a secular atmosphere," says Baba, adding that the Naseeruddin Shah-fronted movie is a tribute to their father, noted lyricist-poet Kaifi Azmi.

The film beautifully focuses on the protagonist Maryam's bond with her father who unflinchingly supports her dreams. Shabana says the relationship resonated strongly with her as father Kaifi was the wind beneath her wings. "I find Maryam spirited and her father, warm and courageous. I had a wonderful relationship with my father, and Baba has a similar equation with his daughter Meghna. So, it seemed organic [to back a father-daughter story]." The actor marvels that through its young protagonist, the movie promotes the message of secularism. "It's a small film with a big heart, and makes a distinction between religion and cultural heritage. It celebrates inclusiveness as an inherent strength of our beautiful country."

Concluding her year-long tribute to father Kaifi Azmi with the screening of brother Baba's film, Shabana remembers the legendary poet
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 12, 2020)

On January 14, 2019, which marked the birth centenary of Kaifi Azmi, commenced a year-long tribute to the legendary poet and lyricist. After an array of mushairas, plays and seminars, the tribute will come to a close on January 14 this year with the screening of Kaifi's son, Baba Azmi's first directorial effort, the Hindi feature film, Mee Raqsam (I Dance).

The film that explores the relationship shared by a father and his daughter also features Naseeruddin Shah in a special role. It was shot in Kaifi's hometown Mijwan, near Azamgarh. Baba tells mid-day, "My father had asked me if it would be possible to shoot a film in Mijwan. Those words stayed with me. It's emotional for me as this is my tribute to him."

Lyricist Javed Akhtar, husband of Kaifi's actor-daughter Shabana Azmi, was the brain behind the celebration. Akhtar says. "So many people came together to participate and contribute [to this tribute]. Shabana and I recited his poetries, while Shankar Mahadevan sang them and Ustad Zakir Hussain interpreted them on the tabla. A documentary [Kafinama] was made by Sumantra Ghoshal. So, it has been an interesting year."

Shabana, who has been overseeing the developments, says, "With satisfaction and gratitude, what started off as a family tribute, was soon embraced by poetry lovers. We had over 48 celebrations during the year, including lit-festivals in UK, USA, Europe, and India. Mee Raqsam is about a Muslim tailor in Mijwan, and his daughter, who wants to learn Bharatnatyam. This is the ultimate tribute to Kaifi, who loved his village. The role of the teenager will be played by Aditi Sharma. She is a resident of the village and the daughter of a former attendant of abba [Kaifi Azmi]. I get gooseflesh when I think how pleased abba would be."