Veteran actress Shabana Azmi, a stalwart of the Indian film industry, recently shared her insights on the evolving nature of Bollywood in an interview with the Hindustan Times. Reflecting on her illustrious career, Azmi highlighted the significant changes she has witnessed over the decades.

Azmi reminisced about the early days of her career in the 1970s and 1980s, when resources were limited and actors had to make do with minimal support. She recalled working on low-budget films where she often had no one to assist her, using her own clothes and relying on the unit’s hair and makeup team. The 73-year-old actress recounted, “I used my own clothes, used the unit’s hair and make-up person, and always stayed in the same hotel as the unit.”

In contrast, she noted the extensive entourages that accompany today’s celebrities, a stark difference from her earlier experiences. Azmi pointed out that unlike Hollywood, where the producer’s team appoints the main dress designer, hairdresser, and makeup artist, Indian producers have less control over an actor’s crew. “In Hollywood, I have never seen anything like this except for personal trainers,” she remarked.

Azmi also shared a nostalgic memory from the 1983 film Mandi, where she and co-star Smita Patil chose to travel by bus with other actors, enjoying the camaraderie and fun of singing and playing games, despite being provided with separate cars. Demonstrating her generosity, she once bought her director an air ticket upon discovering he was traveling by train.

Throughout her career, Shabana Azmi has delivered remarkable performances in films such as Ankur, Swami, Arth, Khandhar, and Paar. In 2023, she appeared in the blockbuster Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani alongside Dharmendra, and in R. Balki’s sports drama Ghoomer with Abhishek Bachchan, Saiyami Kher, and Angad Bedi. As she continues to contribute to Bollywood, Azmi’s reflections offer a unique perspective on the industry’s transformation over the years.