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