There’s something about the first day of shoot — it can make even the finest actors a ball of nerves. Shabana Azmi draws an interesting analogy, as she explains, “Slipping into a role on the first day is like entering the living room of a person you have never met. Sometimes, you can make friends with the character instantly; at other times, it takes a few meetings to warm up.” 

It probably best sums up the headspace of the senior actor, who kicks off the shoot of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani at Powai today. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Jaya Bachchan and Dharmendra, marks her first collaboration with director Karan Johar. “It’s a comedy that deals with some important issues in a breezy way. I find it challenging to play a character in a Karan Johar film. He is both respectful and irreverent, and is open to suggestions. The prep has been invigorating. I have known Karan as a podgy teenager who would come to meet Javed [Akhtar, husband].”