Veteran actress Shabana Azmi recently opened up on her much-discussed kiss with Dharmendra in the film’ Rocky Aur Rani’, describing it with a smile: “It was done and over in a second.” Shabana Azmi, who played the elegant and emotionally complex Jamini Chatterjee, said it was the surrounding reactions in the film—especially Jaya Bachchan’s character fainting—that truly made the scene memorable. The viral moment, set to the nostalgic tune ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke’, continues to be a standout in the Karan Johar-directed romance drama.
Praise for Alia and Ranveer: Hard work and subtle craft
Talking to NDTV, Shabana Azmi also praised her co-stars Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. She described Alia as “emotionally rich,” adding, “Zoya once told me Alia just gets it. That’s exactly right.” She noted how Bhatt’s nuanced portrayal of Rani captured the emotional layers of a modern woman torn between tradition and individuality. Speaking about Ranveer’s portrayal of Rocky, she said, “It was a superb performance that sadly went unrecognised.” Azmi admired the way Singh handled the over-the-top flamboyance of his character without slipping into caricature, emphasizing how meticulously he worked on getting the accent right.
Behind the scenes: Surrendering to Karan Johar ’s vision
Shabana Azmi further shared heartwarming anecdotes from the sets, where she trusted Johar and designer Manish Malhotra completely, despite initial reservations. “I asked him which Bengali woman cooks with open hair and silk saree. He said, ‘In my film, she will.’ And I surrendered.”The actress also recalled how Karan ensured a light, playful atmosphere during filming, making every actor feel special. From elaborate sets built in Mumbai to the now-iconic Randhawa mansion, Shabana Azmi says the experience was “like walking into a dream.”
