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 · Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins as
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel 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
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 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
- 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
- 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 · Positive as
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Anu
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 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 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar 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 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 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 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as