Veteran actor Shabana Azmi is set to join Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan in filmmaker Ritesh Batra’s upcoming film Long Years Ago. The project, currently being shot in Mumbai, brings together three acclaimed performers for a comedy-drama centred on family relationships and the emotions people leave unspoken.
According to an exclusive report by Variety India, Azmi will play an 80-year-old eccentric writer experiencing gradually degenerating memory loss. The character reportedly begins forgetting important events in her own life and details about the people around her, adding an emotional dimension to the film’s family-driven story.
The casting marks Azmi’s first collaboration with Batra, the filmmaker internationally recognised for directing The Lunchbox. It also brings her together on screen with Saif and Vidya for the first time.
Shabana Azmi’s Character Explores Ageing and Memory
Azmi’s reported role could become one of the film’s most emotionally significant characters. The veteran actor has previously spoken about the challenges of ageing and the importance of approaching elderly people with greater understanding and sensitivity.
Her personal experience of caring for her mother, Shaukat Azmi, may also offer valuable perspective for portraying a character dealing with memory loss. However, the film’s specific approach to the condition and its impact on the family has not been officially detailed.
Interestingly, Azmi previously played a character affected by memory-related struggles in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where she appeared opposite the late Dharmendra.
Saif and Vidya Reunite With Ritesh Batra
Long Years Ago is set in 1991 and follows a family forced to confront years of unresolved feelings and conversations. The film reunites Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan, who first shared the screen in Parineeta (2005), Vidya’s debut film.
The project also features French actor-filmmaker Mélanie Laurent. Batra’s storytelling style, known for its intimate character studies, makes the film an interesting departure from conventional mainstream Hindi cinema.
The filmmaker previously directed The Lunchbox, Photograph and international projects including The Sense of an Ending and Our Souls at Night.
What to Expect From the Film
With Azmi joining an ensemble led by Saif and Vidya, Long Years Ago is shaping up as a character-driven drama exploring family bonds, ageing and communication. The film’s release date has not yet been announced, while production is underway in Mumbai.
