Shabana Azmi
Acting
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Shabana Azmi
Neerja
2016
City of Joy
1992
Filmography
Acting (155)
2026
Awarapan 2as Nafisa Nawaz
2026
Batwara 1947as Mai
6.0
2026
2025
2023
Ghoomeras Anina's Grandmother
8.2
2023
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaanias Jamini Chatterji
6.2
2023
What's Love Got to Do with It?as Aisha Khan
6.1
2022
The Master: Shyam Benegalas Herself
4.0
2021
Sheer Qormaas Ammi
2020
Kaali Khuhias Satya Maasi
4.6
2020
Letter from Your Far-Off Countryas Self (archive footage)
2018
Aunty Jias Parvin
2018
2017
The Black Princeas Rani Jindan
5.0
2017
The Wishing Treeas The Gypsy Woman
5.3
2017
Sonataas Dolon
2017
Signature Moveas Parveen
5.4
2016
Neerjaas Rama Bhanot
7.3
2016
Chalk N Dusteras Vidya Sawant
6.8
2015
6.8
5.2
2014
A Decent Arrangementas Preeti
4.7
2013
The Reluctant Fundamentalistas Ammi
6.6
2013
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandolaas Chaudhari Devi
5.7
2012
Midnight's Childrenas Naseem
5.5
2012
Celluloid Manas Self
7.0
2011
Love Breakups Zindagias Naina's Mother
6.4
2010
It's a Wonderful Afterlifeas Mrs. Sethi
4.8
2009
Luck by Chanceas Self
6.5
2008
Sorry Bhaias Gayatri
4.9
2007
4.1
2007
Om Shanti Omas Self
7.1
2007
10.0
2007
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.as Naheed
5.3
2007
Loins of Punjab Presentsas Rrita Kapoor
5.4
2006
Umrao Jaanas Khanum Jaan
8.0
2006
Banglatown Banquetas Sofia
2006
15 Park Avenueas Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
6.4
2004
Morning Ragaas Swarnalata
9.3
2003
Tehzeebas Rukhsana Jamal
3.7
2002
Makdeeas Makdee
6.8
2002
2001
1.0
2001
Daughters of This Centuryas Kadambini
9.0
2000
Gaja Gaminias Premchand's Nirmala
6.6
2000
Hari-Bharias Ghazala
6.0
1999
Godmotheras Rambhi
7.8
1998
Side Streetsas Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
6.8
1998
8.0
1997
Fireas Radha
6.8
1997
Mrityudandas Chandravati
5.2
1997
Saazas Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
4.5
1994
In Custodyas Imtiaz Begum
5.0
1993
Son of the Pink Pantheras Queen
4.6
1993
The Kiteas Jitni
8.0
1992
Immaculate Conceptionas Samira
5.4
1992
City of Joyas Kamla H. Pal
6.6
1991
Jhoothi Shaanas Krishna
10.0
1991
Dharavias Kumud
7.3
1991
Fatehas Shabana
5.0
1991
Inner voiceas Ragini
10.0
1990
Ambaas Amba Bhanupratap Singh
8.0
1990
Death of a Doctoras Seema
6.3
1990
9.0
1989
Main Azaad Hoonas Subhashini Saigal
6.4
1989
Satias Uma
8.8
1989
Ek Din Achanakas Neeta Roy
6.8
1989
Oonch Neech Beechas Tulsi
7.0
1989
9.0
1989
6.0
1988
The Bengali Nightas Indira Sen
6.6
1988
Madame Sousatzkaas Sushila Sen
6.9
1988
Pestonjeeas Jeroo
4.9
1988
10.0
1988
Libaasas Seema
9.0
1987
8.5
1986
Ek Palas Priyam
7.0
1986
Nasihatas Sunita
7.5
1986
Genesisas The woman
6.5
1986
Anjumanas Anjuman
10.0
1986
Khamoshas Shabana Azmi
7.4
1986
Shartas Kiran Dutt
10.0
1986
Samay Ki Dhaaraas Madhvi A. Verma
8.0
1984
Bhavnaas Bhavna Saxena
10.0
1984
The Crossingas Rama
6.5
1984
Gangvaaas Jamuna
7.5
1984
Kamlaas Sarita Jadhav
10.0
1984
The Ruinsas Jamini
6.4
1984
Hum Rahe Na Humas Mohini P. Sahani
7.0
1984
Lorieas Geeta Malhotra
7.0
1984
Yaadon Ki Zanjeeras Manju
7.0
1983
Doosri Dulhanas Chanda
10.0
1983
Sweekar Kiya Maineas Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
5.9
1983
8.0
1983
Mandias Rukmini Bai
6.6
1983
Masoomas Indu D. Malhotra
6.6
1982
Raaste Pyar Keas Shyama
5.0
1982
Anokha Bandhanas Annapurna (Anu)
8.0
1982
Arthas Pooja
6.8
1982
Yeh Nazdeekiyanas Shobna
8.8
1982
Ashantias Kamini
8.4
1982
8.3
1982
8.5
1982
Log Kya Kahengeas Roma
9.0
1981
8.0
1981
Ek Hi Bhoolas Meenakshi
6.0
1981
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Haias Stella
5.3
1981
8.0
1980
Jwalamukhias Kiran
6.3
1980
Hum Paanchas Sundariya
6.8
1980
Ek Baar Kahoas Aarti Mathur
8.0
1980
Apne Parayeas Sheila
8.0
1980
Yeh Kaisa Insaf?as Madhu R. Nath
7.0
1980
5.5
1980
Sparshas Kavita Prasad
7.2
1979
Lahu Ke Do Rangas Roma
4.9
1979
Jeena Yahanas Lekha
9.0
1979
Kaifi Azmias (Herself)
1979
8.0
1978
Junoonas Firdaus (Javed's wife)
5.7
1978
8.0
1978
Atitheeas Leela M. Kumar / Julie
7.0
1978
10.0
1978
Kissaa Kursee Kaaas Janata
8.3
1978
Swarg Narakas Geeta
3.7
1978
7.0
1977
Parvarishas Shabu
7.1
1977
The Chess Playersas Khurshid
7.0
1977
Amar Akbar Anthonyas Laxmi
6.9
1977
Hira Aur Pattharas Gauri
10.0
1977
Karmas Neelam Kumar
8.0
1977
Khel Khilari Kaas Rachna
6.5
1977
Chor Sipaheeas Priya
8.5
1977
Vishwasghaatas Seema
8.0
7.0
1977
Swamias Saudamini
4.0
1977
Adha Din Adhi Raatas Radha / Babli
10.0
1977
Kanneshwara Ramaas Malli
10.0
1976
8.0
1976
Fakiraas Neeta / Geeta
7.0
1976
Kadambarias Chetna
9.0
1975
Nishantas Sushila
7.1
1974
Ishk Ishk Ishkas Pammy
7.0
1974
Parinayas Rekha
8.0
1974
Ankuras Laxmi
6.2
1974
Faslahas Asha Premchand
9.0
1973
1973
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USA v Rajas Pammi Bothra
Production & Directing (1)
1984
The CrossingPlayback Singer
6.5