Saba Azad Gets Real: Acting Isn’t Living the Experience—It’s Empathy

Actress Saba Azad has opened up about her intense role in Bandar (Monkey in a Cage), a film that has already sparked heated debate for its unapologetic take on sexual violence, power, and justice. At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere, Saba made it clear that for her, acting isn’t about having lived the same life as the character, but about the ability to empathize. “I did my best,” she admitted, acknowledging the moral weight of portraying such complex roles.

Empathy, Not Experience

Saba plays Khushi, a character drawn into morally grey spaces, navigating trauma and the imbalance of power. When asked if she could relate to her role from personal experience, Saba was blunt: “Acting is not about having gone through what the character has. It’s about stepping into their shoes with honesty.” She insists that empathy is the actor’s most powerful tool, one that bridges the gap between lived reality and performed reality.

Her approach rejects the popular argument that only actors with lived experiences should portray certain struggles. For her, the craft lies in imagination and compassion—not biography.

Bandar: A Film That Refuses Silence

Directed by Anurag Kashyap and produced by Nikhil Dwivedi, Bandar is anything but subtle. The film revolves around a superstar accused of rape, exposing how celebrity culture, memory, and the legal system collide in deeply uncomfortable ways. It stars Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, alongside Saba.

Saba praised her co-stars, especially Bobby Deol, calling him a “generous actor” willing to show vulnerability in raw, emotional scenes. The ensemble, she suggests, is one reason the film has such an unsettling impact.

You’ll Love It or Hate It

Saba believes Bandar is one of those films audiences can’t ignore. “You may love it or hate it, but it won’t leave you,” she remarked. This statement underlines the deliberate discomfort the film creates. Kashyap has long been known for forcing audiences into spaces they’d rather avoid, and Bandar continues that tradition.

The Controversy Question

But here’s where things get messy. Should actors who haven’t lived through trauma portray it at all? Critics often argue that misrepresentation risks trivializing real pain. Supporters of Saba’s view say it’s unfair and unrealistic to expect actors to have lived their characters’ lives—otherwise, storytelling itself becomes impossible.

The bigger controversy lies in the film’s theme: Bollywood’s habit of glorifying superstars, even those facing grave allegations, is directly under fire here. Bandar dares to ask: what happens when power shields predators, and the system bends to protect fame?

Why Saba’s Stance Matters

By claiming empathy as her tool, Saba challenges not just acting norms, but also the industry’s silence. Bollywood often skirts around the #MeToo debate, preferring safe scripts and sanitized portrayals. In contrast, Bandar makes the ugliness visible, and Saba’s honesty about her role forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths.