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
- 2024 · Angry Young Men as Self
- 2022 · Halo as Margaret Parangosky
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 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
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Awarapan 2 as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 2023 · Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as Jamini Chatterji
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2023 · What's Love Got to Do with It? as Aisha Khan
- 2021 · The Empire as Aisan Daulat Begum
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1976 · Shaque as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- Future · Masoom as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- Future · Imaginary Rain as