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
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 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
- 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
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 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
- 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
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 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 · 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 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 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
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 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
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 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 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Anu
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as