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
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 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
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Namkeen 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
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 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 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 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 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1981 · Sameera 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 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1976 · Shaque as
- Future · Bun Tikki as
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom as