Saba Azad: For Anurag Kashyap, people would even agree to do a one-scene part | Exclusive

Actress Saba Azad is stepping into one of the busiest and perhaps most creatively fulfilling phases of her career Over the next few months the actor will be seen juggling worlds that are wildly different in tone but united by one thing filmmakers who trust actors enough to let them playFirst she returns as Dr Vidushi in Season 2 of Whos Your Gynac on Amazon MX Player Then comes Bandar directed by Anurag Kashyap followed by Storm backed by Hrithik Roshan for Prime VideoSaba Azad on BandarWhat particularly excites Azad about both Bandar and Storm is the kind of ensemble they bring together actors from different industries different regions different schools of performance all thrown into the same creative storm She admits that especially on Bandar the diversity of the cast turned the set into something resembling a giant playground for actorsTalking to midday Saba speaks about the kind of reverence actors have for a filmmaker like KashyapldquoAnurag collects a litany of excellent actors every time he makes a film He commands that kind of respect People will say yes even for a onescene part because he gives actors respect He writes every character even the smallest one with depth Every character has a story theyrsquore not just there to support the main characterrdquo she saysThat she believes is what makes actors willingly surrender themselves to his worldsldquoPeople know that even within a small part they will be seen noticed and appreciated Thatrsquos why he manages to bring together such amazing actors It was such a pleasure to be on a set with other theatre actors I come from theatre so for me it was just a delightrdquoBut more than anything else it was the freedom that stayed with herldquoHow wonderful it is to be told that the script is just a map and that yoursquore free to do as you please go improvise I was like a kid in playschool I was such a happy actor and I really enjoyed thatrdquo she says with a happy smileSaba on the intensity of StormIf Bandar gave her the joy of creative chaos Storm offered intensity of a different kind Azad credits director Ajitpal Singh for building that worldldquoHersquos nothing short of a genius I watched Tabbar and it blew my mind I remember finishing it in one day because it was so intense but I just couldnrsquot stop watching And now that I know him and talk to him Irsquom just in awe of that manrsquos talent Therersquos no way I would have ever said no to his film Irsquom so glad I did Stormrdquo she saysThe actor recently wrapped filming her portions of the film while the overall project is expected to wrap soon ldquoIt was an intense shoot to say the least But as an actor itrsquos been a very rewarding journeyrdquo she addsSaba Azad on choosing creativity over moneyInterestingly Azad believes the freedom she seeks as an actor comes from the fact that she never had to depend solely on acting to survive Music voice work and playback singing gave her financial independence long before acting became central to her careerldquoI think music really gave me that luxury my voiceover career and even playback singing gave me the freedom to say lsquoI donrsquot want to do thisrsquo because I can pay my billsrdquo she says when asked if she ever had to compromise creative choice to pay her billsFor someone who grew up in a theatre family and has been performing since the age of six acting she says still remains a space of joy rather than survivalldquoIrsquove managed by and large to keep acting in the pocket of absolute joy for me and not have to do something just because bills need to be paid Perhaps a project here and there but mostly I feel like Irsquove done things for the love of the project she concluded