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 · 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 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 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
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 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
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1993 · Patang as Jitni
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 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
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Lorie as
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 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 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Masoom as
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as