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
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 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
- 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 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 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
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 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
- 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 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Devata 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 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 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
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1976 · Shaque as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Masoom as
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as