At 4.00 PM on a recent afternoon, the Board Room at the Radisson hotel was buzzing with activity. AIF Volunteers flitted around the cozy place making preparations for an evening of entertainment of the most unusual sort. A unique play called Tumhari Amrita starring Shabana Azmi and Farookh Sheik, at the John Hancock Auditorium in Boston. Fitted into this schedule was also a mini Press Conference of the two artists. Soon enough Shabana and Farookh walk in, along with Lakshmi Pratury, the AIF Director for Fundraising and Ramesh Kapur,member of the Board of Trustees. Belying her years and looking absolutely fit, Shabana looked chic in a black suit and short hair albeit a little tired after her trip from Atlanta. Farookh Sheikh seemed relaxed and was all praise for the beautiful and wondrous colors of Fall that they had seen that morning.

As the Press Conference commences, it becomes evident that the focus is much galvanized toward AIF and its activities since Shabana is in its advisory board. Both Shabana and Farookh are committed and dedicated to causes close to their hearts. Shabana drew examples from her own upbringing in growing in a liberal household of her late father Kaifi Azmi and her talented mother Shaukat Azmi as having a major influence in her life. Javed Akhtar, her husband is also pivotal in her beliefs. On her involvement, Shabana noted that AIF was an idea that took shape in a time of need, the need being the Gujarat Earthquake and relief efforts.She drew a parallel to the Jewish lobby here in the US that drew strength from uniting themselves during crisis. To her it was disaster relief and development that were the fledgling reasons for the formation of the AIF. From them to now, Shabana outlined the role of AIF in accelerating the social and economic change in India. Farookh Sheik agreed with Shabana and said that organizations such as these are laudable and necessary and even quoted a Hindi verse to substantiate the point . NRIs, he felt had a great deal of awareness and that even a small effort done consistently would be more effective and bring great results.

If readers are aware, the two had recently condemned the Ashwardhan temple massacre and issued a statement along with Javed Akhtar under the banner of Sabrang The dastardly act is a "ghastly manifestation of politics of hatred combined with the ideology of the gun" they stated. Shabana feels strongly that the fight has always been between the liberal and extremist voice. Not between Hindus and Muslims,"The two agreed that even though artists definitely share a responsibility at times such as these, it is important that the silent majority break their silence and speak out because reticent behavior only destroys civil liberties and poses danger to secularism.

On the type of roles that Shabana portrays in films , Aparna Sen noted film Director, once commented He.r off screen image has become so strong now that I hesitate to cast her in a certain role. Her films are true in their spirit.Her roles are artfully composed under Creative directors and many of her films look beyond the icon to the human being that she now wishes her image to be. She is both sensual and stunning , and has managed to create some of the most compelling images of women in films like Mandi,Godfather, Arth, Paar, Manthan and Fire. Her most recent film has been Makdee in the unique role of a witch which opens to theaters November 15th. If Makdee is getting so widely noticed, it is because of Shabana's presence. says music director Vishal Bharadwaj who has made his debut in film direction with Makdee.

She has also enjoyed her life fully and passionately. She is constantly hobnobbing with activists, artists and the literati and is a Member of Indian parliament, and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador for India. Her commitment is genuine and her voice is one to reckon with as she boldly takes stances that are dear to her heart . Absolutely.