Dia Mirza often speaks about the women who shaped her life, but her latest post showed just how deeply one gesture can touch her. The actress shared a set of glowing pictures on Instagram, wearing a bright
yellow saree gifted by Shabana Azmi — and said the moment felt far more meaningful than simply putting on a beautiful outfit. For Dia, the saree carried history, memory, and a legacy she wanted to honour.
Instead of talking about fashion or styling, Dia chose to focus on the woman behind the saree — Shabana’s mother, Shaukat Azmi. Dia said that slipping into the saree made her feel as if she was representing everything Shaukat once stood for. In the caption, Dia included a line from Kaifi Azmi’s iconic poem Aurat, written for his wife Shaukat. She wrote, “Uthh meri jaan mere saath hee chalna hain tujhe” – Aurat by Kaifi Azmi. When wearing this saree, I carried with me all that Shaukat Azmi Ji represented. Including this powerful poem written by Kaifi Azmi Saab for his beloved wife. (sic)”
The actress also used the post to thank Shabana Azmi in her warm, heartfelt way, writing, “@azmishabana18 thank YOU for this saree. You have always enriched my life in ways that only you can. I will cherish and wear this saree for life.”
Dia’s bond with Shabana extends far beyond cinema. She is part of Shabana’s close-knit “girl gang,” a circle that often gathers for intimate celebrations. This Diwali, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vidya Balan, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal, Shahana Goswami, Divya Dutt, and Tannishtha Chatterjee joined Shabana and Javed Akhtar for a warm festive evening.
Sharing a fun selfie from the night, Shabana wrote, “Happy Diwali gathering of the Dher Saara Pyar gang to celebrate #Tiger Tan’s indomitable spirit and her glorious Busan award (sic).” She added that Urmila Matondkar and Sandhya Mridul were missed at the gathering.
Shabana also thanked the host for the food, saying: “Anu, thank you for the finger-licking food and especially the Tender Coconut Panna Cotta. Javed has nicknamed it Tenco.”
