New Delhi [India], March 7 : In a world where crime often plays out in the shadows, 'Dabba Cartel' brings a refreshing twist by placing its focus on five middle-class women whose ordinary lives are turned upside down when their dabba business unwittingly becomes entangled with a dangerous drug cartel.
With an ensemble cast that includes powerhouse performers like Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, and others, the series premiering on Netflix promises to captivate viewers with its deep storytelling and powerful performances.
Shabana Azmi, renowned for her portrayal of complex characters, steps into the role of Kashian enigmatic woman whose strength quietly but undeniably commands attention.
In an interview with ANI, when asked about her decision to take on the role of Kashi, Azmi shared, "At this stage in my career, there is no checklist except that I'd like to do something that genuinely interests me."
Speaking about the character that intrigued her, she said, "For the first two episodes, you don't even quite know what she's up to. She's an almost nondescript character, but there are little hints that suggest there's much more to her than meets the eye."
Discussing the evolution of her character, Azmi said, "Kashi has strength in a very quiet way. She doesn't need to shout or scream. She is assertive, and her power lies in her conviction. It was fascinating to play someone who holds such authority without being overtly loud about it."
Azmi also delved into the broader conversation about feminism and gender equality. Reflecting on her perspective, she said, "I think a woman doesn't have an option to view the world from anything other than a feminine lens. And that's something that both men and women need to understand."
She emphasized the importance of balance, particularly for women in the workplace. "It's the yin and the yang when it's perfectly balanced. That's when a person truly becomes complete."
When asked about her thoughts on International Women's Day, Azmi passionately spoke about the ongoing struggle for women's rights.
"Every day should be celebrated as Women's Day, not just one," she said, adding, "But the day serves as a reminder of the immense struggle the women's movement has undergone to bring us to this point."
Breaking gender stereotypes, she believes, is an integral part of feminism. "For me, it was never a question. I grew up in a commune where women had equal opportunity from the very beginning," Azmi said.
"It wasn't until I was older that I realized the way I was raised was an exception, not the rule. Our society is still deeply patriarchal, and sometimes women become victims of this system, believing certain liberties can be taken with them," she added.
As for the quote, "She remembered who she was, and the game changed," which aligns with the spirit of International Women's Day, Azmi remarked that she had always been encouraged to speak her mind and stand by her convictions.
"It wasn't always about fighting battles outwardly, but about knowing when to speak up for what matters," she said.
In a lighter moment, when asked if Kashi's persona mirrored any aspects of her own life, Azmi jokingly responded, "If you're suggesting I have criminal tendencies, I can promise you, that's not the case!"
However, she added, "The strength of Kashi comes from experiences and understanding that power doesn't need to be shouted. It comes from conviction and authority, not from anger."
This intense drama, featuring an ensemble cast including Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Sai Tamhankar, Lillete Dubey, and Gajraj Rao, is directed by Hitesh Bhatia and written by Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher.
The series was created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda.
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