Farhan Akhtar did not like the end of Fire and wanted to change the climax, reveals Shabana Azmi: ‘It will ruin the whole…’

Farhan Akhtar did not like the end of Fire and wanted to change the climax, reveals Shabana Azmi: ‘It will ruin the whole…’

As a fervent admirer of the illustrious Shabana Azmi, I find myself utterly captivated by her life experiences and the impact they have had on her remarkable career. The tale of how her stepson, Farhan Akhtar, played a role in shaping the ending of the groundbreaking film “Fire” is nothing short of fascinating. It showcases not only the unique dynamics within the Akhtar family but also the profound influence young minds can have on art and society.


Shabana Azmi, a well-known actress, has revealed that the finale of her highly praised 1996 movie Fire was tweaked due to an idea from her stepson, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar. In conversations about the script, young Farhan suggested modifying the ending as he found it unsettling and feared it could distort the film’s intended message, making viewers believe that Azmi had been involved in something improper.

During a chat with PTI, Shabana mentioned an intriguing detail: “It’s worth noting that Farhan is younger than Zoya, but we talked about this movie with him earlier on. At the time, he was quite young and I suggested he read the script. And guess what? He adored it.

Azmi stated, “I dislike the ending as Radha dies in it. That would spoil the entire film and make people suspect that some mistake was made by you.” He further emphasized, “Radha should live instead.” This is what he shared with director Deepa Mehta.

She stated, “I’ll ponder on it.” That decision sparked our interest, so everyone in my family gathered to back me up during the movie production,” she continued.

One of the trailblazing Bollywood movies, popular within the mainstream, was among the first to showcase homosexual relationships on-screen, and it also presented a lesbian relationship in an authentic light.

Azmi pointed out that she meticulously considered the possible outcomes of taking up the position, particularly concerning her community work with women living in impoverished areas.

In this movie, primarily produced and helmed by Deepa Mehta with an Indo-Canadian background, the narrative delves into the complexities of love, self-discovery, and societal expectations. It revolves around the characters Radha (portrayed by Azmi) and Sita (Nandita Das), who develop a deep emotional and romantic bond.

During a masterclass at the Mumbai Film Festival, Azmi shared that prior to accepting the role, she consulted her family about the movie and discussed it with actress Vidya Balan.

She voiced her worries, explaining that she feared her involvement in the film could negatively impact her community work and that the women she assisted might struggle to continue working with her.

During that phase, she found encouragement from her spouse, Javed Akhtar, and her stepdaughter, Zoya Akhtar. She reminisced that Zoya was only 18 then and inquired about her ongoing projects.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d express it like this: Upon hearing Ankur actress mention she was offered a film she found appealing yet had reservations, I couldn’t help but ask her about the underlying issues.

Following Azmi’s disclosure about her role choice, Zoya remarked that if the actress who portrayed Neerja found the script appealing, there wouldn’t be any hurdles. Reflecting on this conversation, she observed that it underscored the distinct thought process often exhibited by the younger generation.

In simpler terms, the actress from Mandi recalled the thoughtful advice given by her spouse, Javed Akhtar. He suggested that if she was ready to deal with potential criticism and believed she could portray the subject delicately while showing compassion towards the character, then she should take on the role.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly advocate for you to chase after your convictions, knowing full well that you may encounter criticism. However, let’s not allow potential resistance to dampen our spirits. Instead, let’s focus on the importance of standing firm in our beliefs and trusting that the journey ahead will be enriching and rewarding.

In terms of her professional endeavors, Shabana will be seen in Manish Malhotra’s film titled Bun Tikki, sharing the screen with Zeenat Aman and Abhay Deol. Simultaneously, Farhan has a series of upcoming projects such as Don 3 featuring Ranveer Singh and Kiara Advani, and Jee Le Zara.

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2024-10-20 09:07