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
- 2026 · Awarapan 2 as Nafisa Nawaz
- 2026 · Batwara 1947 as Mai
- 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 · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 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
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 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
- 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
- 2014 · Benegal's New Cinema 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
- 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 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 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 · Inner voice as Ragini
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1985 · Kaamyab as Seeta
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Log Kya Kahenge as Roma
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita Prasad
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- Future · Masoom: The Next Generation as
- 2026 · Saugaat as
- 2025 · Bun Tikki as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Letter from Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as Shabana
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Anjuman as Anjuman
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Anokha Bandhan as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 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
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Imaginary Rain as
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- Future · A Romance in the Sky as
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Parinay as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur as Laxmi
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- 1973 · Masoom as