Shabana Azmi on ‘Dabba Cartel’: ‘Power Doesn’t Need to be Shouted’

The legendary Shabana Azmi actress opens up about her role in Netflix’s crime drama, feminism, and why every day should be Women’s Day.

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Shabana Azmi on ‘Dabba Cartel’: A Story of Strength, Conviction, and Quiet Power

New Delhi, March 8 – What happens when an ordinary business venture becomes entangled with a dangerous drug cartel? Netflix’s upcoming crime drama ‘Dabba Cartel’ explores exactly that, weaving a gripping narrative around five middle-class women whose lives take an unexpected turn.

Led by an ensemble cast including Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, and Sai Tamhankar, the series promises a thrilling mix of suspense, drama, and female empowerment.

Shabana Azmi, known for portraying layered characters, plays Kashi—a seemingly unassuming woman with hidden depths.

“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 said.

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Azmi on Choosing the Role: ‘It Genuinely Interested Me’

At this stage in her illustrious career, Azmi no longer follows a ‘checklist’ for roles—she simply chooses projects that intrigue her.

“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,” she said, teasing Kashi’s evolution in the series.

When asked if any of Kashi’s traits mirrored her own, she jokingly dismissed any criminal connections:

“If you’re suggesting I have criminal tendencies, I can promise you that’s not the case!” she laughed. However, she admitted, “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.”

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On Feminism: ‘Every Day Should Be Women’s Day’

Beyond her role in Dabba Cartel, Azmi spoke passionately about gender equality, breaking stereotypes, and the ongoing struggle for women’s rights.

“Every day should be celebrated as Women’s Day, not just one,” she declared.

Reflecting on her own upbringing, she acknowledged that her early exposure to gender equality was the exception, not the rule:

“I grew up in a commune where women had equal opportunity from the very beginning. 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.”

Azmi believes that true feminism is about balance—both in life and in work.

“It’s the yin and the yang—when it’s perfectly balanced, that’s when a person truly becomes complete,” she explained.

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‘Dabba Cartel’: A Powerhouse Cast & Thrilling Narrative

Directed by Hitesh Bhatia and written by Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher, Dabba Cartel is co-created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda.

Featuring a stellar supporting cast including Lillete Dubey and Gajraj Rao, the series promises a fresh take on crime thrillers—this time, led by women navigating power in unexpected ways.

With Azmi’s riveting performance, thought-provoking themes, and an edge-of-the-seat narrative, Dabba Cartel is all set to leave a lasting impact when it premieres on Netflix.

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Tags: Shabana Azmi, Dabba Cartel, Netflix Series, Women in Crime Dramas, Feminism in Cinema, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Bollywood Web Series, Women’s Day Special, Gender Equality