Dabba Cartel: Shabana Azmi BREAKS SILENCE on her crime thriller’s comparison to Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo; ‘I was concerned…’

The long-anticipated crime thriller series featuring Shabana Azmi, titled Dabba Cartel, has now made its premiere on a streaming platform. Following the initial teaser release, some film enthusiasts started making connections between this show and Dimple Kapadia’s Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo. More recently, the esteemed actress clarified that while there are differences, both shows indeed have unique aspects.

During an interview with India Today Digital, Shabana Azmi expressed concerns that her show Dabba Cartel might resemble Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo in some aspects. Yet, it was her daughter-in-law Shibani Akhtar (the creator of the show) who maintained a sense of assurance about their crime thriller series, despite these similarities.

Before tuning into the program, I had a moment of apprehension, fearing an unwarranted comparison between us and the show. However, Shibani confidently reassured me that such comparisons wouldn’t materialize. Her conviction put my mind at ease as well. Upon watching the show, I must admit it was exceptionally well-crafted; however, it stands distinct from our own offerings.

The 74-year-old emphasized that their series boasts an entirely unique and mysterious layout, featuring characters who converse in a distinctive vernacular. She claims that the two shows bear no resemblance to each other, as this one focuses on portraying everyday life of middle-class women using a realistic touch.

Apart from that, Azmi shared that she took great pleasure in collaborating with her fellow actresses and formed strong connections. In a more casual manner, she expressed that these relationships were not only confined to the set, but also extended beyond it, creating friendships that are expected to endure for many years.

Azmi openly acknowledged, with a hint of a smile, that maintaining family harmony during the production at home was indeed a challenging endeavor for her. She recalled explaining to someone that she accepted the show because it was her daughter-in-law’s request, as her son, Farhan Akhtar, was the producer.

She mentioned that while Excel was entirely professional and never pressured us, the stress of meeting deadlines seemed to be mostly on Hitesh Bhatia (the director), as he had to manage a large number of women who sometimes made his job challenging (she laughs). However, overall it was an enjoyable experience for her.

Dabba Cartel is currently streaming on Netflix.

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2025-02-28 20:07