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
- 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 · 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 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 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 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 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 · 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 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 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 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 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 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as