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
- 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 · 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
- 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
- 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
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 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
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 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 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Anu
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom 2 as