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 · 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
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 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
- 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
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 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 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 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 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 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 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Masoom as