Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Shabana Azmi Says Liberalism, Not Religion, Defines India’s Divide
Shabana Azmi said people should not see every disagreement as a fight between Hindus and Muslims.
She believes the bigger difference is between people who support tolerance and people who are intolerant.
She said extremists from both religious communities have criticized her and Javed Akhtar.
Azmi said India’s strength comes from people and cultures living together.
She also discussed why the film Batwara 1947 did not succeed at the box office.
She thinks some viewers did not accept Sunny Deol playing a Muslim character.
She compared this with Amitabh Bachchan, who was accepted in similar roles in older films.
Her message was that religion should not be used to divide people.
Shabana Azmi said Hindu and Muslim extremists have criticized both her and Javed Akhtar.
She argued that the central conflict is between liberals and intolerant people, not Hindus and Muslims.
Azmi said India’s identity is rooted in its composite culture and constitutional ethos.
She attributed Batwara 1947’s failure partly to audiences rejecting Sunny Deol playing a Muslim character.
Azmi compared that reaction with Amitabh Bachchan’s acceptance in Muslim roles, including in Coolie and Deewaar.
- Who
- Actor Shabana Azmi, along with her husband Javed Akhtar, is at the center of the discussion.
- What
- Azmi said the key conflict is between liberals and extremists, and discussed criticism of her views and the failure of Batwara 1947.
- When
- In an interview with Zoom; the date was not stated.
- Where
- The discussion concerns India; the interview location was not stated.
- Why
- Azmi said religious division is being used to create social conflict and argued that India’s composite culture should be recognized.
- Speaker
- Shabana Azmi
- Central argument
- The divide is between liberals and intolerant people, rather than Hindus and Muslims.
- People criticized
- Azmi said extremists from both Hindu and Muslim communities have criticized her and Javed Akhtar.
- Film discussed
- Batwara 1947
- Box-office explanation
- Azmi said audiences could not accept Sunny Deol playing a Muslim character.
- Comparison
- She cited Amitabh Bachchan’s roles in Coolie and Deewaar as examples of accepted Muslim characters.
- Cultural principle
- Azmi described India’s composite culture as consistent with the country’s constitutional ethos.