Shabana Azmi to play a tree goddess on Netflix show

The last time she did a children’s film, Shabana Azmi played a witch (Makdee). Now, in a Netflix film The Wishing Tree, which releases on June 9, Shabana plays the tree goddess.

This film, directed by debutant Manika Sharma, discusses ecological preservation. Says the actor, “I’m doing a special appearance in this film. I have come quite a long way from marrying a tree in Aparna Sen’s Sati.”

Interestingly, Amitabh Bachchan will be giving the voice to the tree in the Netflix series. So in a way, Big B and Shabana are coming together for the first time after the 1989 film, Main Azaad Hoon.

Apart from the Netflix series, this week Shabana will soon be seen playing the sassy and fearless Dolon Sen in Aparna Sen’s feisty film Sonata. This is Shabana’s fourth film with Aparna, and one that she’s really proud of. “I enjoyed playing my character,  Dolon Sen. It’s a great part… she’s wilful, funny and uninhibited. It was very generous of Rina (Aparna) to give it to me rather than keep it for herself. Dolon is whimsical, childlike, and yet warm and loving. Hindi cinema mein kahaan milte hain aise shades?”

Shabana and her fans have a lot to look forward to in 2017. “This year I’ve five releases and all the parts are very different from one another,” she signs off.