/> The casting of Vishal Bhardwaj's Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (MKBKM) just got more interesting. Far more interesting, actually. The film already boasted of an interesting cast comprising Pankaj Kapoor, Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma.

Now Shabana Azmi is on board opposite Pankaj Kapoor. This is her first film with the talented Kapoor since the highly-acclaimed Ek Doctor Ki Maut in 1992. Vishal convinced Shabana to join the impressive cast just a few days ago. There have been many attempts to bring these two super-talented actors together. All foiled by scripts that either one or both didn't like.

Apparently when Bharadwaj who has earlier worked with Shabana in his first directorial venture Makdee offered Shabana the part in MKBKM she begged off wondering what would there be in it for her. But Vishal insisted.

Says Shabana, "I am the hugest fan of Vishal's work as a music composer and filmmaker, and so is my husband.Yes, I am cast opposite Pankaj Kapoor who is an exceptionally talented actor.Technically we've done two films together in the past. But I didn't have any scenes with Pankaj in Mandi. We were together as couple in 'Ek Doctor Ka Maut' Pankaj was absolutely brilliant in that.It's always a pleasure to work with a challenging actor."

Earlier this week Shabana went through a looks test for her part in Vishal's film. She will be sporting a very unusual look in this comedy where nothing is as it seems.Including Shabana.

Hopefully Shabana's makeup would make her look less scary than she did in Vishal Bharadwaj's Makdee.

Chortles the Padma Bhushan actress, "For the witch's role Vishal and I went the whole hog. To this my poker-faced husband's comment was, ‘To play a witch why did you have to put on makeup?' Can you imagine? My own husband!"

Incidentally Shabana is one of the minuscule minority which thinks Pankaj Kapoor's directorial debut Mausam was remarkable.

"Both me and my husband loved Mausam. I think it has something to do with the Padma Bhushan. All recipients of the honour love Mausam," she deadpans.