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 · Lahore 1947 as Mai
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2024 · Angry Young Men as Self
- 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
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- Future · Masoom as
- 2026 · Awarapan 2 as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Anjuman as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 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 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 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 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Parinay as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Imaginary Rain as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Masoom 2 as