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
- 2022 · Halo as Margaret Parangosky
- 2021 · Sheer Qorma as Ammi
- 2020 · Kaali Khuhi as Satya Maasi
- 2018 · Aunty Ji as Parvin
- 2018 · Next of Kin as Mrs. Shirani
- 2017 · The Wishing Tree as The Gypsy Woman
- 2017 · Signature Move as Parveen
- 2016 · Neerja as Rama Bhanot
- 2016 · Chalk N Duster as Vidya Sawant
- 2015 · Capital as Mrs. Kamal
- 2013 · The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Ammi
- 2013 · Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Chaudhari Devi
- 2012 · Midnight's Children as Naseem
- 2012 · Celluloid Man as Self
- 2010 · It's a Wonderful Afterlife as Mrs. Sethi
- 2009 · Luck by Chance as Self
- 2008 · Sorry Bhai as Gayatri
- 2007 · Om Shanti Om as Self
- 2007 · Positive as
- 2006 · Umrao Jaan as Khanum Jaan
- 2004 · Koffee with Karan as Self
- 2004 · Indian Idol as Self
- 1997 · Mrityudand as Chandravati
- 1997 · Saaz as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
- 1994 · In Custody as Imtiaz Begum
- 1992 · Immaculate Conception as Samira
- 1989 · Main Azaad Hoon as Subhashini Saigal
- 1989 · Oonch Neech Beech as Tulsi
- 1989 · Picnic as
- 1989 · Rakhwala as
- 1988 · Madame Sousatzka as Sushila Sen
- 1988 · Pestonjee as Jeroo
- 1988 · The Discovery of India as Rangamma
- 1986 · Samay Ki Dhaara as Madhvi A. Verma
- 1986 · Congregation as Anjuman
- 1984 · Bhavna as Bhavna Saxena
- 1984 · Yaadon Ki Zanjeer as Manju
- 1983 · Doosri Dulhan as Chanda
- 1983 · Avtaar as
- 1982 · Ashanti as Kamini
- 1982 · Namkeen as
- 1982 · Suraag as
- 1981 · Ek Hi Bhool as Meenakshi
- 1981 · Sameera as
- 1980 · Jwalamukhi as Kiran
- 1980 · Sparsh as Kavita
- 1979 · Kaifi Azmi as (Herself)
- Future · Masoom 2 as
- 1992 · City of Joy as Kamla H. Pal
- 1988 · The Bengali Night as Indira Sen
- 1986 · Khamosh as Shabana Azmi
- 1984 · Gangvaa as Jamuna
- 1984 · The Ruins as Jamini
- 1983 · Market Place as Rukmini Bai
- 1983 · Masoom as Indu D. Malhotra
- 1982 · Arth as Pooja
- 1980 · Apne Paraye as Sheila
- 1980 · Yeh Kaisa Insaf? as Madhu R. Nath
- 1980 · Thodisi Bewafaii as
- 1978 · Khoon Ki Pukaar as
- 1978 · Kissaa Kursee Kaa as Janata
- 1977 · Amar Akbar Anthony as Laxmi
- 1977 · Chor Sipahee as Priya
- 1976 · Shaque as
- 1976 · Fakira as Neeta / Geeta
- 1975 · Nishant as Sushila
- 1974 · Espousal as Rekha
- 1974 · Ankur: The Seedling as Laxmi
- Future · Lahore 1947 as
- 2023 · What's Love Got to Do with It? as Aisha Khan
- 2021 · The Empire as Aisan Daulat Begum
- 2015 · Jazbaa as
- 2011 · Love Breakups Zindagi as Naina's Mother
- 2007 · Dus Kahaniyaan as
- 2006 · Banglatown Banquet as Sofia
- 2004 · Morning Raga as Swarnalata
- 2003 · Tehzeeb as Rukhsana Jamal
- 2002 · Makdee as Makdee
- 2000 · Gaja Gamini as Premchand's Nirmala
- 1997 · Fire as Radha
- 1993 · Son of the Pink Panther as Queen
- 1991 · Jhoothi Shaan as Krishna
- 1991 · Dharavi as Kumud
- 1991 · Fateh as
- 1990 · Amba as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
- 1990 · Death of a Doctor as Seema
- 1990 · Disha as
- 1989 · Sati as Uma
- 1989 · Suddenly, One Day as Neeta Roy
- 1988 · Libaas as Seema
- 1987 · Susman (The Essence) as
- 1986 · Ek Pal as Priyam
- 1986 · Nasihat as Sunita
- 1986 · Genesis as The woman
- 1986 · Shart as Kiran Dutt
- 1984 · The Crossing as Rama
- 1984 · Lorie as Geeta Malhotra
- 1984 · Kamla as Sarita Jadhav
- 1982 · Unique Relation as Annapurna (Anu)
- 1982 · Yeh Nazdeekiyan as Shobna
- 1981 · Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai as Stella
- 1980 · Hum Paanch as Sundariya
- 1979 · Jeena Yahan as Lekha
- 1978 · Junoon as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
- 1978 · Toote Khilone as
- 1977 · The Chess Players as Khurshid
- 1977 · Hira Aur Patthar as Gauri
- 1977 · Swami as Saudamini
- 1977 · Kanneshwara Rama as Malli
- Future · What Will People Say? as Roma
- 1978 · Swarg Narak as Geeta
- 1977 · Parvarish as Shabu
- 1977 · Karm as Neelam Kumar
- 1976 · Kadambari as Chetna
- 1974 · Faslah as Asha Premchand
- Future · Masoom: The New Generation as
- 2025 · Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen as
- 2023 · Ghoomer as Anina's Grandmother
- 2023 · Good Morning Sunshine as
- 2020 · Letter From Your Far-Off Country as Self (archive footage)
- 2018 · Kaifinama as
- 2017 · The Black Prince as Rani Jindan
- 2017 · Sonata as Dolon
- 2015 · Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema as Self
- 2014 · A Decent Arrangement as Preeti
- 2007 · Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. as Naheed
- 2007 · Loins of Punjab Presents as Rrita Kapoor
- 2006 · 15 Park Avenue as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
- 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
- 1998 · Side Streets as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
- 1998 · Bada Din as
- 1993 · The Kite as Jitni
- 1988 · Mardon Wali Baat as
- 1983 · Sweekar Kiya Maine as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
- 1982 · Raaste Pyar Ke as Shyama
- 1980 · Ek Baar Kaho as Aarti Mathur
- 1978 · Devata as
- 1978 · Atithee as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
- 1977 · Jallian Wala Bagh as
- Future · Masoom as
- Future · Awarapan 2 as
- 1984 · Hum Rahe Na Hum as Mohini P. Sahani
- 1977 · Khel Khilari Ka as Rachna
- Future · The Master: Shyam Benegal as Herself
- Future · USA v Raj as Pammi Bothra
- 1981 · Shama as
- 1979 · Lahu Ke Do Rang as Roma
- 1979 · Amar Deep as
- 1977 · Vishwasghaat as Seema
- 1977 · Adha Din Adhi Raat as Radha / Babli
- 1974 · Ishk Ishk Ishk as Pammy
- 1973 · Munshi Ji as
- Future · Bun Tikki as




