Exclusive: Shabana Azmi on Next of Kin and Redefining The Asian Mother Stereotype
The British television show Next of Kin, starring Shabana Azmi, will soon be released on OTT for Indian viewers. It revolves around a woman, Mona Shirani (Archie Panjabi), who is left grief-stricken when her brother is brutally murdered while working for a medical charity overseas. This family drama explores love, loyalty, and the fragile threads that hold relationships together. Ahead of its OTT release, Azmi and Panjabi spoke about their respective characters. Azmi describes her character, Mrs Shirani’s personality, her pivotal role in the family, and how she subverts stereotypes.
The actress said, “What is nice about Mrs Shirani is that on one level you would think she is the stereotypical Asian mother, but you, in fact, discover she is not so. She has a personality which is very much her own and is a very important figure in the house. The first time we see her is a million-dollar scene. The lift door opens and she sat on the floor of the elevator. Which is an amazing visual to begin with. I’ve never been trapped in a lift for real, but if I am ever, it will not be such a terrifying experience. She grumbles, disapproves and has her family favourites, but she really is the person who pulls the family together. She is a believer. She says her prayers. And yet she is far removed from this crazy world of fundamentalism.”
Talking about what Next Of Kin is about, actress Archie Panjabi added, “For me, the centre of the drama is about this very close-knit modern-day British family. They’re very happy, living a normal life and content with it. Then the news turns each one of their lives upside down, and one of the youngest members of the family, Danny, is suspected of being radicalised. The story follows Mona’s fight to prove her nephew’s innocence, whilst at the same time trying to keep the family unit intact because those relationships come under immense strain. It’s probably the most emotionally challenging moment of Mona’s life, having to deal with it all. One of the great themes of the story is family, love and loyalty. It asks the question, ‘How far would you go to protect the ones you love?’ People watching will ask themselves, ‘What would I do in that situation? What decisions would you make?’ The dilemma Mona is faced with involves heartbreakingly difficult decisions along the way. Each of those choices and decisions she makes has an impact on a member of her family, including her relationship with her husband, Guy.”
Besides Shabana Azmi and Archie Panjabi, the show also stars Jack Davenport, Navin Chowdhry, Farzana Dua Elahe and more. The British thriller was created and written by Paul Rutman and directed by Justin Chadwick. It originally premiered in the UK and is now set to stream on Lionsgate Play.
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