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 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 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
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 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
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 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
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 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 · 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 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 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
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 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
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2024 · Angry Young Men as Self
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2021 · The Empire as Aisan Daulat Begum
- 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
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Masoom as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as