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
- 2026 · Lahore 1947 as Mai
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1982 · Log Kya Kahenge as Roma
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Devata as
- 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 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · Awarapan 2 as
- 2025 · Bun Tikki as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2022 · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 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
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 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 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Anjuman as Anjuman
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Anokha Bandhan as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Sameera 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
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1974 · Parinay as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- 1973 · Masoom as
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- Future · Imaginary Rain as