Person
Shabana Azmi
Acting · Born 1950-09-18 · New Delhi, India
Biography
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
Halo
Margaret Parangosky
Indian Idol
Self
Koffee with Karan
Self
The Discovery of India
Rangamma
The Master: Shyam Benegal
Herself
Batwara 1947
Mai
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Ammi
Dabba Cartel
Sheila
Next of Kin
Mrs. Shirani
Om Shanti Om
Self
Filmography
- 2026Awarapan 2Nafisa
- 2026Batwara 1947Mai
- 2025Dabba CartelSheila
- 2025Bun Tikki
- 2025Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen
- 2024Angry Young MenSelf
- 2023GhoomerAnina's Grandmother
- 2023Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem KahaaniJamini Chatterji
- 2023Good Morning Sunshine
- 2023What's Love Got to Do with It?Aisha Khan
- 2022The Master: Shyam BenegalHerself
- 2022HaloMargaret Parangosky
- 2021The EmpireAisan Daulat Begum
- 2021Sheer QormaAmmi
- 2020Kaali KhuhiSatya Maasi
- 2020Letter From Your Far-Off CountrySelf (archive footage)
- 2018Aunty JiParvin
- 2018Next of KinMrs. Shirani
- 2018Kaifinama
- 2017The Black PrinceRani Jindan
- 2017The Wishing TreeThe Gypsy Woman
- 2017SonataDolon
- 2017Signature MoveParveen
- 2016NeerjaRama Bhanot
- 2016Chalk N DusterVidya Sawant
- 2015CapitalMrs. Kamal
- 2015Jazbaa
- 2015Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian CinemaSelf
- 2014Benegal's New Cinema
- 2014A Decent ArrangementPreeti
- 2013The Reluctant FundamentalistAmmi
- 2013Matru Ki Bijlee Ka MandolaChaudhari Devi
- 2012Midnight's ChildrenNaseem
- 2012Celluloid ManSelf
- 2011Love Breakups ZindagiNaina's Mother
- 2010It's a Wonderful AfterlifeMrs. Sethi
- 2009Luck by ChanceSelf
- 2008Sorry BhaiGayatri
- 2007Dus Kahaniyaan
- 2007Om Shanti OmSelf
- 2007Positive
- 2007Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.Naheed
- 2007Loins of Punjab PresentsRrita Kapoor
- 2006Umrao JaanKhanum Jaan
- 2006Banglatown BanquetSofia
- 200615 Park AvenueProf. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2004Koffee with KaranSelf
- 2004Morning RagaSwarnalata
- 2004Indian IdolSelf
- 2003TehzeebRukhsana Jamal
- 2002MakdeeMakdee
- 2002Devi Ahilya Bai
- 2001Meghla Akash
- 2001Daughters of This CenturyKadambini
- 2000Gaja GaminiPremchand's Nirmala
- 2000Hari-BhariGhazala
- 1999GodmotherRambhi
- 1998Side StreetsMrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998Bada Din
- 1997FireRadha
- 1997MrityudandChandravati
- 1997SaazBansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994In CustodyImtiaz Begum
- 1993Son of the Pink PantherQueen
- 1993The KiteJitni
- 1992Immaculate ConceptionSamira
- 1992City of JoyKamla H. Pal
- 1991Jhoothi ShaanKrishna
- 1991DharaviKumud
- 1991FatehShabana
- 1991Antarnaad
- 1990AmbaAmba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990Death of a DoctorSeema
- 1990Disha
- 1989Main Azaad HoonSubhashini Saigal
- 1989SatiUma
- 1989Ek Din AchanakNeeta Roy
- 1989Oonch Neech BeechTulsi
- 1989Picnic
- 1989Rakhwala
- 1988The Bengali NightIndira Sen
- 1988Madame SousatzkaSushila Sen
- 1988PestonjeeJeroo
- 1988Mardon Wali Baat
- 1988The Discovery of IndiaRangamma
- 1988LibaasSeema
- 1987Susman
- 1986Ek PalPriyam
- 1986NasihatSunita
- 1986GenesisThe woman
- 1986AnjumanAnjuman
- 1986KhamoshShabana Azmi
- 1986ShartKiran Dutt
- 1986Samay Ki DhaaraMadhvi A. Verma
- 1984BhavnaBhavna Saxena
- 1984PaarRama
- 1984GangvaaJamuna
- 1984KamlaSarita Jadhav
- 1984The RuinsJamini
- 1984Hum Rahe Na HumMohini P. Sahani
- 1984LorieGeeta Malhotra
- 1984Yaadon Ki ZanjeerManju
- 1983Doosri DulhanChanda
- 1983Sweekar Kiya MaineGopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983Avtaar
- 1983MandiRukmini Bai
- 1983MasoomIndu D. Malhotra
- 1982Raaste Pyar KeShyama
- 1982Anokha BandhanAnnapurna (Anu)
- 1982ArthPooja
- 1982Yeh NazdeekiyanShobna
- 1982AshantiKamini
- 1982Namkeen
- 1982Suraag
- 1982Log Kya KahengeRoma
- 1981Shama
- 1981Ek Hi BhoolMeenakshi
- 1981Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata HaiStella
- 1981Sameera
- 1980JwalamukhiKiran
- 1980Hum PaanchSundariya
- 1980Ek Baar KahoAarti Mathur
- 1980Apne ParayeSheila
- 1980Yeh Kaisa Insaf?Madhu R. Nath
- 1980Thodisi Bewafaii
- 1980SparshKavita Prasad
- 1979Lahu Ke Do RangRoma
- 1979Jeena YahanLekha
- 1979Kaifi Azmi(Herself)
- 1979Amar Deep
- 1978JunoonFirdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978Devata
- 1978AtitheeLeela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978Khoon Ki Pukaar
- 1978Kissaa Kursee KaaJanata
- 1978Swarg NarakGeeta
- 1978Toote Khilone
- 1977ParvarishShabu
- 1977The Chess PlayersKhurshid
- 1977Amar Akbar AnthonyLaxmi
- 1977Hira Aur PattharGauri
- 1977KarmNeelam Kumar
- 1977Khel Khilari KaRachna
- 1977Chor SipaheePriya
- 1977VishwasghaatSeema
- 1977Jallian Wala Bagh
- 1977SwamiSaudamini
- 1977Adha Din Adhi RaatRadha / Babli
- 1977Kanneshwara RamaMalli
- 1976Shaque
- 1976FakiraNeeta / Geeta
- 1976KadambariChetna
- 1975NishantSushila
- 1974Ishk Ishk IshkPammy
- 1974ParinayRekha
- 1974Ankur: The SeedlingLaxmi
- 1974FaslahAsha Premchand
- 1973Munshi Ji
- 1973Masoom
- —Masoom: The Next Generation
- —USA v RajPammi Bothra
- —Imaginary Rain
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