Shabana Azmi, the diva of dramatic acting, seems five years younger these days. She shed around ten kilos for Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, in which she portrays Alia Bhatt’s grandmother.
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Karan Johar, who is directing Shabana for the first time, desired a thin, seductive grandmother. Shabana Azmi, who is known for her method acting, accepted the challenge and lost the extra weight in a matter of weeks. She had to gain ten kilos for Shyam Benegal’s Mandi in 1983, only to lose it all for her subsequent flicks.
“Losing and gaining weight for your characters is not something I recommend, especially after a certain age. But here in Karan’s film, I needed an excuse to lose weight,” says Shabana. Speaking on her role in Karan’s film Shabana reveals, “It is not a routine grandmother’s role. My character is a very sophisticated upper-class woman. Manish Malhotra has designed some exquisite clothes for me.”
The actress also talks about the director of the film saying, “Karan is so evolved as a filmmaker. I was surprised by how much control he has over his plot and characters.”
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Apart from Shabana Azmi, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, the film also stars Dharmendra, and Jaya Bachchan. Also, Saif Ali Khan’s son Ibrahim is working as an assistant director on the film.
