Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi (born September 18, 1950) is an Indian actress of film, television, and theatre, as well as a women's rights activist and parliamentarian. An alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India of Pune, she debuted in Ankur (1974) and quickly became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and neo-realism. Recognized as being among the most acclaimed actresses of her country, she has received a record of five National Film Awards for Best Actress, six Filmfare Awards, several international accolades, and the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India, and the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India. She is best known for her portrayals of unconventional female characters and many of her films have won praise for depicting progressive ideals.
Known For
Credits
- 2022 · Halo as Margaret Parangosky
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2024 · Angry Young Men as Self
- 2023 · Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as Jamini Chatterji
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2023 · What's Love Got to Do with It? as Aisha Khan
- 2021 · The Empire as Aisan Daulat Begum
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- Future · Masoom as
- 2026 · Awarapan 2 as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as