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