Shabana Azmi discusses personal faith and religious freedom

Veteran Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi has shared her perspectives on religion, personal faith, and the role of the state. Identifying as Muslim, Azmi stated that she does not perform religious rituals such as namaz, noting that her relationship with religion is a private matter. She emphasized that the government should not interfere in individual religious practices.

Azmi described her upbringing as one where religion was not a central focus. She noted that her father, the poet Kaifi Azmi, was an atheist, while her mother, Shaukat Azmi, followed certain traditions without strict adherence. Azmi explained that her use of cultural and religious expressions like ‘Mashallah’ and ‘Inshallah’ is a reflection of her language and cultural background rather than a declaration of religious observance.

She also addressed the differing views of her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, describing him as a staunch atheist. Azmi noted that while they occasionally discuss these differences, she views her use of certain linguistic terms as a natural part of her cultural identity that coexists with her personal beliefs.