The multiple National Award winner and veteran actress Shabana Azmi thinks mainstream cinema are a vital medium to communicate to the society. The veteran actress said: "Films are a very important medium of communication and I do think if change is to happen in society, then it must be reflected in mainstream cinema because if you are only going to talk about different characters within the parallel cinema or independent cinema, then you are preaching to the already converted." According to the actress, "To bring these concerns particularly about the women's equality into the mainstream," is the need of hour in society. "I am particularly pleased that this is something that the top female stars of today are taking very seriously and are willing to go that extra mile to work in the film that is significant to say about women," Shabana added. Shabana also said, "I grew up in a family that believed that art should be as an instrument for social change, and my film 'Arth' by Mahesh Bhatt more than 30 years ago continues to be a film that many women claim that they derive inspiration from. I think this is a very healthy trend." Shabana will be next seen in film "Sonata" helmed by filmmaker Aparna Sen Also read: Rajkummar Rao has bared it all in 'Omerta' Karan allows only few people to meet his babies Roohi and Yash I am 44 and I don’t listen to people anymore, says Karan Johar