6. Aunty Ji (2018)
A 2018 short film ‘Aunty Ji’ is about an acid-attack survivor, Anmol Rodriguez and a Parsi widow played by Shabana Azmi. This 20-minute short film is a social commentary on how society casts away people on the basis of age and appearance. On one side is ‘aunty ji’ constantly challenging the norms of the society and excited to get her first tattoo. On the other is Anmol, too nervous and conscious because of her appearance. What happens when their paths cross? Do they find comfort in each other’s company? Watch it tonight to understand the psyche of two very different human beings, women compelled by circumstances to confront unique social and emotional challenges.
Though Shabana excelled in new wave cinema, she had her other foot in commercial cinema too. Masoom, Thodi si Bewafai, Junoon, Amar Akbar Anthony, Fakira, Swarg Narak, Swami, Rakhwala etc. are some of her regular Bollywood films which tasted commercial success. On her birthday, we wish her all the best and hope that she will continue to surprise the audience with her varied and thought-provoking portrayals for many many more years to come.
