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
- 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
- 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
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 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
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 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 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 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 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2007 · Positive as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 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
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- Future · Masoom as
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as