Shabana Azmi's Experience Working with Farhan Akhtar in Dabba Cartel
Image credits: NDTV
Shabana Azmi, a veteran actress, recently made her debut in the Netflix series Dabba Cartel, produced by Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar, and Ritesh Sidhwani. In a recent interview, Azmi shared her experiences working with her stepson Farhan and his wife Shibani, offering a glimpse into their professional relationship and family bond. Azmi reflected on how it felt to collaborate with them on the project, explaining the ease with which they worked together despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Azmi highlighted how family relationships can naturally extend into the workspace, and how the trust and camaraderie between them made the experience smoother. She also spoke about her close bond with Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, which she attributes to their mother, Honey Irani. Azmi emphasized her respectful approach to family matters, saying she owes it to Honey that she has such a beautiful relationship not only with her children but also with her. The unique family dynamic, rooted in mutual respect and understanding, has contributed to a harmonious relationship with both Farhan and Zoya.
The series Dabba Cartel, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, attempts to mix crime, drama, and dark comedy but ends up lacking the edge to truly leave an impact. The show, co-created by Shibani Akhtar, offers an intriguing premise: a home chef’s dabba (tiffin) business gradually morphs into a dangerous drug operation. However, the series falters in execution, with unusual cuts failing to create a continuous story, making it feel like there are different bits following through with no seamless connection between them. The lack of chemistry between characters, especially Preeti and Ajit Pathak, is also a glaring issue, with their interactions coming off as forced and awkward.
Despite its shortcomings, the series does attempt to explore some interesting dynamics, particularly the evolving relationships between couples after having children. The show touches on how one partner may misjudge the other’s capabilities and refuse to accept help, a relatable theme that adds some depth to the otherwise chaotic narrative. Crime dramas like Dabba Cartel often rely on suspense and plot twists to keep viewers engaged, but this series falls short in delivering a cohesive story. If you're looking for more powerful women-centric stories, you can explore other movies like Mother India, English Vinglish, Queen, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Pink, which offer a range of compelling narratives and strong female leads.
For fans of women-centric movies, here are some top-notch projects to dive into next:
- Mother India – Prime Video
- English Vinglish – JioCinema/Disney+ Hotstar
- Queen – Netflix
- Gangubai Kathiawadi – Netflix
- Pink – Prime Video
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