Usually one to use her stature to make a case for pertinent issues on screen, Shabana Azmi took fans aback when news of her joining Karan Johar’s family entertainer, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, hit headlines. Known for her offbeat roles in parallel cinema, Azmi’s previous mainstream offering was the 2015 film, Jazbaa. However, the five-time National Award-winning actor, seen as the Bengali matriarch and Alia Bhatt’s grandmother Jamini Chatterjee in this film, makes a case for the subjects it addresses.

“It takes on many issues hitherto believed to be anathema to mainstream cinema. This is a new genre in Hindi cinema, because, within the mainstream format it tackles gender politics, cancel culture, and body-shaming — matters that were, until now, relegated to independent cinema,” says the actor, adding that her writer-husband, Javed Akhtar also appreciated the subjects that it touches upon. “I have always felt that if we shake the status quo in mainstream cinema, the chances of it bringing about change in society is greater.”