Quotes from Shabana Azmi

A woman director is not obliged to make a feminist film. She can make what she wants, a thriller, an action film, a comedy, or whatever, but hopefully, she will be informed by a gaze that is female.

Terrorism should be struck down with an iron hand.

One of the best things that we have in India is a free press.

Acting in itself is changing. This change is because of the advent of the casting director. Earlier, there would be stock characters, who would be seen in every film. Now, casting directors are bringing fresh faces.

'Aurat' is an iconic poem which is relevant 70 years later and informs me in the work I do with women.

We live in interesting times. Information overload can make it difficult to sift fact from fiction.

I like having family and friends around me. Our house is always overflowing with guests.

Im hoping that for film actors there is this kind of emotional trigger on any subject. It need not be only slums. It can be anything. But even if it is tentative, sooner or later, it will - by its sheer force - engulf you in a way where you make a commitment and you get involved in it, beyond just making it an image-building exercise.

In Kaifi's poetry and in his work as a social activist, every setback only strengthened his resolve to fight back with renewed vigor and strength.

My fingers are always in every single pie.

I grew up in a family that believed that art should be used as an instrument for social change.

My casting in 'Halo' produced by Steven Spielberg, which I am doing, is just color-blind casting; Asians have been questioning why best roles should not come to them and I am so happy about this color-blind casting. I am going to be just what I am in that film.