The Kolkata‑born actor‑coach shares how she landed a dialect gig on a Dharma Production, guided two legends and stepped in front of the camera for the new anthology.
Husne Shabnam, a name that’s been popping up in both acting credits and behind‑the‑scenes coaching reels, opened up about her recent stint on the anthology Lust Stories 3 and her earlier work on Dharma Productions’ Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
The third instalment of the Lust Stories franchise has been praised for its final vignette, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth. Shabnam appears as one of Hydari’s students, a role she says was a pleasant surprise after a series of auditions that landed her a pixie cut and a new character profile.
From Kolkata theatre to Mumbai sets
Born and raised in Kolkata, Shabnam spent her early years on stage and teaching Bengali at the American Institute of Indian Studies. A move to Mumbai in 2021 left her without contacts, but a referral to a dialect‑coaching outfit called Strictly Speaking turned the tide. Her first Bollywood assignment was coaching for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where she helped Shabana Azmi and Alia Bhatt fine‑tune their speech patterns.
She recalls the first meeting with Shabana Azmi as nerve‑wracking. "I went to her house feeling petrified," she said, adding that the veteran actress asked her to sing before confirming the partnership. The experience, she admits, was a crash course in high‑profile collaboration.
Alia Bhatt, on the other hand, was described as “a superstar and a sweetheart.” Shabnam notes that Bhatt was clear about her expectations, often inviting a discussion before finalising any linguistic tweaks. The duo apparently spent several sessions hashing out the nuances of a Delhi‑born character who never lived in Kolkata, a detail Shabnam was careful not to over‑accentuate.
Acting chops on the side
While coaching, Shabnam also landed a cameo in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani that wasn’t in the script. The improvisation came about during rehearsals when Shabana suggested she appear on screen. The brief appearance, she says, was a fun detour from her primary role.
Her next on‑screen break came with the Lust Stories 3 segment. The actress‑coach says the audience’s reaction to the six‑girl ensemble, especially the comic timing, has been overwhelming on social media. She credits the supportive atmosphere on set, noting that Aditi Rao Hydari, whom she affectionately calls “Baji,” would often hang out between takes.
A career built on versatility
Shabnam’s journey points to a growing trend where dialect coaches double as actors, leveraging one skill set to open doors for the other. She admits that the coaching work provides a steady income, but the exposure to seasoned actors has been invaluable for her own craft.
Looking ahead, Shabnam hints at more on‑camera opportunities, though she remains committed to helping actors sound authentic without slipping into caricature. "I’m particular about not over‑doing an accent," she says, echoing a broader industry conversation about respectful representation of regional voices.
Fans can expect to see her in upcoming web series and possibly more cameo spots, while her coaching profile continues to rise with each high‑profile project she touches.
Be the first to comment
Join the argument. No password, just your email or a passkey.