At the trailer release of Dabba Cartel, Shabana Azmi spoke about her pivotal role in the upcoming Netflix crime thriller. Reflecting on her character, Azmi shared, " The character is fascinating—you have no idea where she is going, what she is going to do. When this project came my way, it was very exciting, and I am looking forward to it."
She also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with younger actors. Azmi noted, "I feel really lucky and grateful that I happen to be at the right place at the right time. The fact that I am working with younger actors who bring completely different sensibilities from mine is always very exciting because we learn from each other. Most of the younger actors come in with trepidation, unsure of what’s going to happen, but they soon realize there’s nothing to worry about. They become so comfortable that I have to remind them I am the senior!"
Azmi, who marks 50 years in the industry, reflected on her journey: "It’s a very exciting time for me, and the realization that after 50 years of starting my career, I am still doing work that I truly enjoy is something I am very grateful for."
Concluding with her passion for acting, she added, "At the end of it all, what I enjoy the most is being an actor in front of the camera. I’m very grateful for this opportunity."
Dabba Cartel revolves around five women whose dabba (tiffin) business unexpectedly pulls them into the dangerous world of a high-stakes drug cartel. The series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Gajraj Rao, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat.
Premiering on February 28, 2025 on Netflix , the show is produced by Excel Entertainment and directed by Hitesh Bhatia. Created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda, Dabba Cartel promises an intriguing blend of crime, suspense, and powerful female characters.