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 · Awarapan 2 as Nafisa
- 2026 · Batwara 1947 as Mai
- 2025 · Dabba Cartel as Sheila
- 2024 · Angry Young Men as Self
- 2023 · Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as Jamini Chatterji
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 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 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 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
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 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
- 2000 · Hari-Bhari as Ghazala
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Ek Din Achanak as Neeta Roy
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1987 · Susman as
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · Paar as Rama
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1983 · Mandi as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Log Kya Kahenge as Roma
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- Future · Masoom: The Next Generation as
- 2025 · Bun Tikki as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2022 · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2001 · Meghla Akash as
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1999 · Godmother as Rambhi
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1986 · Anjuman as Anjuman
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 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
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- Future · Imaginary Rain as
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2002 · Devi Ahilya Bai as
- 2001 · Daughters of This Century as Kadambini
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1991 · Antarnaad as
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1982 · Anokha Bandhan as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- Future · Benegal's New Cinema as
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Parinay as Rekha
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- 1973 · Masoom as
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as




