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
- 2025 · Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins as
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 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
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 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 · Positive as
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Anu
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 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
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as