/> She reaches another level in her life and career almost every six months. And yet Shabana Azmi's excitement at having received the prestigious International Gandhi Peace Prize in the House Of Commons in London on Thursday evening, is contagious.

Speaking from London Shabana can barely contain her joy. "It's not just the prestige attached to the award. It's who gave me the prize. I received my award from Vanessa Redgrave who's one of my absolute all-time favourite actors from the entire universe. To get the award from her was a dream-come-true."

Shabana was supposed to be accompanied to the House Of Commons with her husband. "But Javed was suddenly held back for some important work. Now I'm flying back to India for just a day for him to receive an award. And then we're both off for a 3-week world tour to perform our play Kaifi Aur Main."

Returning to Redgrave, Shabana says, "You know, on a joint tv interview with me she had said she was familiar with my work and would love to work with me. That was ecstacy. And now to receive this award from her...I'm speechless!"