‘Hindu and Muslim extremists can’t tolerate Javed Akhtar and me’: Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar have frequently criticized the Hindu-Muslim divide in India, speaking out against the issue. In a recent interview, Shabana shared that the real conflict is not between Hindus and Muslims, but between liberals and extremists. She revealed that both Hindu and Muslim extremists have criticized her and Javed for their views.

When asked about extremists from intolerant communities, Shabana stated that neither Hindu nor Muslim extremists can tolerate them. She emphasized the importance of moving beyond the Hindu-Muslim narrative and understanding the core issue. Shabana believes that liberals from both communities must unite against intolerance. She highlighted that the truth of India lies in its composite culture, which has been celebrated by both of them throughout their lives.

In another part of the interview, Shabana discussed the box-office failure of Rajkumar Santoshi's Batwara 1947, attributing the issue to the current environment rather than the film itself. She pointed out the inconsistency in how Muslim characters are perceived by audiences, comparing it to the acceptance of Amitabh Bachchan playing Muslim roles in films like Coolie, Deewaar, and 786.