Mumbai: This week's big release Dus Kahaniyan has multiple story lines with a multi-star casting. So in between that sea of Bollywood's brat pack faces, you can also spot veteran actors Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah in one short film, Rice Plate.

And trust Shabana to go the extra mile for her role as a Tamilian woman who comes face to face with her prejudice.

“In Hindi films one just has to say aiyyo to play a Tamilian. But I didn’t want that. I wanted to source the costumes myself and go to Tamil areas to see how it is. There was a young stylist Disha Pahadi who was very enthusiastic about it. So I was very particular about the nose ring, the necklace, the blouse,” said Shabana.

Rice Plate is actor Rohit Roy's directorial debut. Going by Shabana's recent films Honeymoon travels and Loins of Punjab Presents, she's quite the favourite with first time directors.

“I seem to have quite an instinct with first time directors. The number of films I have done with new directors, whether it was with Shekhar Kapoor in Masoom or Vishal Bharadwaj in Makdi, Manish Acharya in Loins of Punjab Presents or Reema Kagti in Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd. I think I have some sense of knowing whether there is a spark there or not,” she said.

Here's hoping Shabana's good luck charm works for Dus Kahaniyan!