Netflix’s upcoming crime drama Dabba Cartel has created a massive buzz with its intriguing storyline about five housewives running a high-stakes secret cartel in 1960s Mumbai. At the recent trailer launch event, veteran actress Shabana Azmi, Jyotika and the rest of the cast took centre stage. However, a bold confession by Shabana sparked widespread discussion when she revealed that she had initially asked the producers to replace Jyotika with another actress. In a recent interview with Showsha, she further clarified her statement explaining why she made that request and how her opinion changed over time.
Shabana Azmi’s Initial Judgment On Jyotika
When asked why she wanted Jyotika removed from the series, Shabana candidly admitted that she wasn’t familiar with her work at the time. She explained, “No, I didn’t know her. I didn’t know her well, and there was a female actor who I thought was very good for the part.” She further clarified that she had no issues with Jyotika personally but simply hadn’t seen any of her performances before making that judgment. “I had nothing against her, but it was unfair because I hadn’t seen her work at all.”
A Change of Heart
As the shoot progressed, Shabana’s perception of Jyotika completely changed. She openly admitted her mistake stating, “Like I said, I am ashamed of myself for that because she turned out to be really, really good.” Her words reflected deep admiration and respect for Jyotika’s talent, acknowledging that she had underestimated her without knowing her work.
Jyotika , known for her humility responded with grace. She appreciated Shabana’s honesty and said, “You don’t have to be ashamed of anything. I think it’s a very big thing to be yourself, and it’s very rare. I’ve been here for three decades, and I feel very rarely do you meet real people who even express their mind. I think besides being an actor, that’s what we all love about her—the woman she is!”
ALSO READ: Manisha Koirala WARNED Sanjay Leela Bhansali To Cast Her In Khamoshi: The Musical!
Both Shabana Azmi, Jyotika have made remarkable contributions to cinema in their respective industries. At 74, Shabana continues to impress audiences with her exceptional and powerful performances, while Jyotika has also consistently taken on diverse and challenging roles. Watching these two phenomenal actresses share screen space in Dabba Cartel is bound to be a cinematic treat, no doubt. This series is helmed by Hitesh Bhatia and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, which also stars other set of sensational female actors including Sai Tamhankar, Anjali Anand, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey and Gajraj Rao.
With such a powerful ensemble cast and an intriguing storyline, Dabba Cartel is set to be an exciting watch when it premieres on Netflix on February 28, 2025.
