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 · What's Love Got to Do with It? as Aisha Khan
 - 2021 · The Empire as Aisan Daulat Begum
 - 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
 - 2018 · Kaifinama as
 - 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
 - 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
 - 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
 - 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
 - 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
 - 2007 · Positive as
 - 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
 - 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
 - 1998 · Bada Din as
 - 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
 - 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
 - 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
 - 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
 - 1989 · Rakhwala as
 - 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
 - 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
 - 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
 - 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
 - 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
 - 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
 - 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
 - 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
 - 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
 - 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
 - 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
 - 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
 - 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
 - 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
 - 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
 - Future · Masoom 2 as
 - 1973 · Munshi Ji as
 - Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
 - Future · Lahore 1947 as
 - 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
 - 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
 - 2023 · Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as Jamini Chatterji
 - 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
 - 2022 · Halo as Margaret Parangosky
 - 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
 - 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
 - 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
 - 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
 - 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
 - 2015 · Jazbaa as
 - 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
 - 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
 - 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
 - 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
 - 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 · 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 · Koffee with Karan as Self
 - 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
 - 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
 - 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
 - 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
 - 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
 - 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
 - 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
 - 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
 - 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
 - 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
 - 1990 · Disha as
 - 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
 - 1989 · Sati as Uma
 - 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
 - 1989 · Picnic as
 - 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
 - 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
 - 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
 - 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
 - 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
 - 1988 · Libaas as Seema
 - 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
 - 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
 - 1986 · Genesis as The woman
 - 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
 - 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
 - 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
 - 1984 · Lorie as
 - 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
 - 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
 - 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
 - 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
 - 1983 · Avtaar as
 - 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
 - 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
 - 1982 · Arth as Pooja
 - 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
 - 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
 - 1982 · Namkeen as
 - 1982 · Suraag as
 - 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
 - 1981 · Sameera as
 - 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
 - 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
 - 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
 - 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
 - 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
 - 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
 - 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
 - 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 · 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 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
 - 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
 - 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
 - 1976 · Shaque as
 - 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
 - 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
 - 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
 - 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
 - Future · Bun Tikki as
 - 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
 - 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
 - Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
 - Future · Masoom as
 - Future · Masoom: The New Generation as