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 · Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as Jamini Chatterji
- 2022 · Halo as Margaret Parangosky
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 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
- 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
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 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
- 1989 · Rakhwala 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 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 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
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 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 · 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
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2023 · What's Love Got to Do with It? as Aisha Khan
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 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
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 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)
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- Future · Masoom 2 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
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 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
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Masoom as