"I knew I wanted Shabana Azmi to lead it for sure...": Shibani Akhtar reflects on making of female-led crime drama 'Dabba Cartel'

Premiering on Netflix, 'Dabba Cartel' offers a fresh perspective on the crime genre by focusing on the unexpected involvement of five middle-class women in a dangerous drug cartel.

With an ensemble cast that boasts stellar performances from Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, and others, the show has already captured the attention of audiences worldwide.

Shibani, a first-time creator and producer, reflected on the power of collaboration, the importance of female-driven narratives, and the personal growth she experienced throughout the production process.

When asked about what initially drew her to the project, Shibani shared, "I knew that I wanted to start working on an idea, create something, possibly a film or a show. I knew I wanted it to be a female-led cast. I also knew that I wanted to work on something in the crime drama genre space. So, it all kind of came together."

She went on to elaborate on the importance of the collaborative effort that brought the project to life. "It's been a great experience, and luckily, the audience has loved the work we put into it. It's a good feeling," she told ANI.

The casting journey for the show was equally significant for Shibani. She revealed that there was no question about casting Shabana Azmi in the lead role.

"When I came up with the idea of the show, before it even developed into a full-blown concept, I knew that I wanted Shabana Azmi to be in it for sure and lead it for sure. There was no choice," Shibani said.

According to Shibani, the decision to bring on board the rest of the ensemble cast, including Jyotika and other key players, was a varied and thoughtful process.

She highlighted Jyotika's commitment to understanding the project fully before signing on. "Jyotika was interested from the beginning... She asked all the right questions and did a deep dive into the project before saying yes," Shibani explained.

Reflecting on International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, Shibani was also asked to reflect on the quote "I am my own warrior" and share an anecdote about it.

Akhtar reflected on her personal journey during the production of 'Dabba Cartel.'

"Navigating this space, probably as a first-time creator/producer on Dabba Cartel, it's unknown territory for me," she said, adding, "There's so much that you have to learn, so many things you fight for along the way."

She continued, "It's not as easy as it may look once you see the finished product. There's so much work that goes on behind the scenes--physically, mentally, and emotionally."

Shibani's journey with the show was challenging on many levels, but she took pride in seeing it come to fruition. "It was definitely a personal battle for me to understand and grow through this process. And now, I can say I did it, I made my first show," she said.

Reflecting on the nerve-wracking moments leading up to the show's premiere, Shibani confessed, "I was nervous for, I think, one hour in the second screening that we had for the show. I didn't have time to be nervous up until that point because we were on such a solid deadline that we just kept going. But there was a moment where I thought, 'Oh my God, the show is releasing tomorrow.' And then it passed."

Created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda, the show also stars Gajraj Rao and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat in significant roles. (ANI)