Actress
and
social
activist
Shabana
Azmi,
who
turns
64
Today,
would
co-incidentally
spend
the
day
rehearsing
for
her
play
'Happy
Birthday
Sunita'.
She
adds
that
age
is
no
bar
for
her
as
she
has
embraced
life
at
all
stages
and
advises
everyone
to
do
the
same.
Excerpts:
Q.
You
have
turned
64!
What
plans
this
year?
A.
My
play
"Happy
Birthday
Sunita" opens
in
London
on
Sep
19.
On
my
birthday
I
will
be
in
technical
rehearsal
till
10
p.m.!
Javed
has
come
to
be
with
me
and
I'm
thrilled.
No
other
plans
needed!
Q:
Do
you
enjoy
the
cake
cutting
and
the
gifts?
A:
The
cake
cutting
is
a
practice
I
do
not
like.
When
did
it
start
in
India
and
why,
I
do
not
know.
In
school,
we
were
only
allowed
to
give
two
sweets
each
to
the
entire
class.
It
was
a
great
leveller
because
it
prevented
the
richer
girls
from
being
lavish
and
shows
the
not-so-rich
ones
in
poor
light!
I'm
not
a
great
stickler
for
giving
or
receiving
presents
on
birthdays,
anniversaries,
etc.
as
a
'must
do'.
I
prefer
giving
a
gift
without
occasion
if
I
feel
it's
something
a
friend
will
like.
Q:
But
surely
you
like
something?
A:
I
must
confess
that
flowers
are
my
weakness
and
I
love
receiving
them,
especially
Indian
fragrant
flowers
-
Mogra,
Rajnigandha,
Sontakka
etc.
Q:
Which
is
the
most
memorable
birthday
you
ever
had?
A:
My
50th
birthday.
All
my
friends
came
from
various
corners
and
Abba
(father
poet
Kaifi
Azmi)
sat
quietly
through
the
noisy
celebrations
in
a
sherwani
and
'topi'
looking
like
the
birthday
person
himself!!
Javed
was
wonderful
too,
but
it's
too
personal
to
share
the
details.
Q:
64...
is
it
just
a
number
or
does
it
really
mean
a
coming
of
age?
A:
I'm
at
peace
with
my
age.
I've
embraced
life
at
all
stages.
I
remember
people
were
horrified
when
I
celebrated
my
50th!
'Don't
announce
your
age',
I
was
advised!
How
stupid
is
that.
Q:
As
an
Indian
actress,
do
you
feel
restricted
by
your
age?
A:
This
is
the
best
time
to
be
an
actor.
There
are
many
parts
available
for
all
age
groups.
It's
no
longer
the
stereotypical
mother
in
a
white
sari
and
terrible
wig
sacrificing
all
for
her
family!
Q:
Any
unfulfilled
dreams?
A:
I
would
have
loved
to
play
the
piano!
Alas!
It's
too
late
now.
Q:
If
you
had
to
change
one
thing
in
your
life,
what
would
that
be?
A:
It's
too
personal
to
answer.
Q:
Generations
of
actors
consider
you
a
role
model.
What
advice
do
you
have
for
them?
A:
Never
become
complacent,
work
hard.
Embrace
life!