Shabana Azmi to miss the wedding

Shabana Azmi, a close family friend of the Kapoors, will not attend Sonam’s wedding on May 8. Speaking from Chicago, Azmi says, “Alas! I can’t attend my darling Sonam’s wedding. I made a commitment three months in advance to be here in the US, and Sonam’s wedding date has changed twice.”

The actor has already had a taste of some of the festivities. “I was with Anil, Sunita and Sonam before I left. It was such fun! Dance practice, laughter and good cheer all around.”

Recalling her long association with the Kapoors, Azmi says, “Anil and his wife Sunita have been friends with Jadu (Javed Akhtar) and me for 30 years. When Sonam first told her father that she wanted to be an actor, Anil sent her to me to so that I could dissuade her. I ended up doing the opposite. I encouraged her to follow her heart, much to Anil’s exasperation.”