For actress, life imitates art

If politics and cinema go hand in hand, then Shabana Azmi is living proof. The Indian actress and politician lectured to more than 90 people on women's roles in Indian film, politics and society yesterday at the University Museum. Azmi is well known in the South Asian community for both the countless movies she has starred in as well as her active role in India's politics, a position which was inspired by her politician father. An actress for 25 years, Azmi has not only appeared in Indian films but has also starred in American films -- including City of Joy and Fire, a controversial movie on lesbianism in middle-class Indian society. In the speech, Azmi stressed that her political activity is inherently tied to her acting career. "An actress must draw her resources from life itself," Azmi said, describing an experience in which she learned the mindset of a poverty-stricken character by approaching "slum-dwellers." Learning about their experiences, Azmi said, not only helped her play the role but prompted her to befriend and help the poor. But Azmi's contributions to society run deeper than her acting roles. She was elected to India's parliament and said she plans to dedicate the next five years of her life to correcting many of the ills Indian women face -- such as health problems, abusive marriages and lack of empowerment. The lack of women's rights is a direct consequence of the "mindset of society," she said, adding that women are unjustly seen as inferior to men. "Education reinforces gender divides," she added, stressing that the only way for change to occur is for "women to come together." Azmi also said that Indians on a whole need to stop thinking of themselves as separate groups but instead as a united South Asian community. When asked about her future plans, Azmi said her next stop would be a political demonstration in Virginia. She also recommended her new movie, Godmother, which deals with an Indian woman entering politics. It will be screened at International House at 3701 Chestnut Street next week. All proceeds will go to a charity for impoverished people in Bombay. Students gave the lecture positive feedback on several levels. "I'm definitely impressed," Engineering freshman Priya Khatri said. "She's so well rounded and has a college degree. That's not very common." And College junior Gaurab Bansal said, "[Azmi] speaks well on empowerment and partnership between the East and the West, first and second generations." First-year Wharton graduate student Reshma Rughwani commented on Azmi's active role outside of her acting career. "She is an intellectual actress who doesn't just flounce around on screen," she said.