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
- 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 · 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
- 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
- 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 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 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 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman as
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi 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
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- Future · Masoom: The Next Generation as
- 2025 · Bun Tikki as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2022 · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 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
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 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
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic 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 · Anjuman as Anjuman
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Paar as Rama
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Anokha Bandhan as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Log Kya Kahenge as Roma
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 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 · 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 · 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 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 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
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- 1974 · Parinay as Rekha
- Future · Imaginary Rain as
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- 1973 · Masoom as
- Future · Benegal's New Cinema as