Shabana Azmi serenaded by Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan in joyful moment
Synopsis
Shabana Azmi's latest Instagram post captures an intimate musical moment — serenaded by lyricist Javed Akhtar and singer Shankar Mahadevan. Days earlier, she had celebrated a Dubai restaurant launch alongside Sonu Nigam and Salim Merchant. Off-screen, she is set to play a villain for the first time in Awarapan 2.
Key Takeaways
Shabana Azmi shared a candid Instagram photo on Saturday being serenaded by Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan .
The image shows all three smiling, with Javed and Shankar holding microphones at an intimate gathering.
Days earlier, Azmi had shared a video from the launch of Malgudi UAE in Dubai and Abu Dhabi , featuring Sonu Nigam , Shankar Mahadevan , and Salim Merchant .
She described the two-day Eatopia -organised event as 'like a joyous family wedding.' On the professional front, Azmi is set to play an antagonist for the first time in Awarapan 2 , produced by Vishesh Bhatt .
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi on Saturday offered a heartwarming peek into a private musical moment, sharing a candid photograph on Instagram in which she was serenaded by her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and celebrated singer Shankar Mahadevan — two people she describes as among her favourites.
The Instagram Moment
In the image posted by Azmi, Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan are seen smiling warmly while holding microphones, with Shabana seated between them, visibly beaming. Alongside the picture, she wrote: 'How wonderful to be serenaded by two of my favourite people @jaduakhtar @shankar.mahadevan.' The post quickly drew appreciation from fans and followers for its candid, joyful intimacy.
A Musical Reunion in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The latest post follows a similar celebratory glimpse shared by Azmi just days earlier, featuring a musical gathering that brought together Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, and Salim Merchant, with Javed Akhtar also in attendance. The occasion was the launch of Malgudi UAE, a restaurant that opened locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, organised by Eatopia.
Describing the two-day celebration, Azmi wrote: 'If music be the food of love Eat On! Thank you #Eatopia and @malgudi.uae for the blissful 2 days spent celebrating the opening of @malgudi.uae in Dubai and AbuDhabi with a bunch of friends from the music world.' She called the trip 'like a joyous family wedding' and said it would 'remain one of our most precious memories.'
What's Next for Shabana Azmi
On the professional front, the National Award-winning actress is set to break new ground with Awarapan 2, where she will reportedly essay an antagonist role — a first in her acclaimed career. Producer Vishesh Bhatt announced the casting on social media, sharing a photograph with Azmi. The development signals a bold creative pivot for one of Hindi cinema's most respected performers.
Notably, Azmi's most recent theatrical outing was Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which underscored her continued relevance across generations of Indian cinema audiences. Her foray into villainy in Awarapan 2 is already generating curiosity ahead of any formal release timeline.
Point of View
More personal registers — a contrast to the curated promotional machinery that dominates celebrity feeds. What stands out is not the star power on display but the ordinariness of the joy: a husband, a friend, and a microphone. Her upcoming turn as a villain in Awarapan 2 is the more consequential story here — a National Award winner stepping into antagonist territory for the first time is a creative risk worth watching. Whether the film matches the intrigue of its casting remains to be seen.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who serenaded Shabana Azmi in her latest Instagram post?
Shabana Azmi was serenaded by her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, and singer Shankar Mahadevan. She posted a candid photograph of the moment, describing them as two of her favourite people.
What was the Dubai event Shabana Azmi attended?
Shabana Azmi attended the opening celebration of Malgudi UAE, a restaurant that launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, organised by Eatopia. The two-day event featured performances by Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, and Salim Merchant.
What is Awarapan 2 and what role will Shabana Azmi play?
Awarapan 2 is an upcoming film produced by Vishesh Bhatt. Shabana Azmi is reportedly set to play an antagonist — a first in her long career — with Bhatt announcing the casting on social media.
What was Shabana Azmi's most recent film release?
Shabana Azmi's most recent notable theatrical outing was Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She is a National Award-winning actress with a career spanning several decades in Hindi cinema.
What did Shabana Azmi write alongside her Instagram post?
Alongside the photograph with Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan, Shabana Azmi wrote: 'How wonderful to be serenaded by two of my favourite people @jaduakhtar @shankar.mahadevan.'
