Shabana Azmi

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.

Known For

Halo

Indian Idol

Koffee with Karan

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

The Discovery of India

Kaali Khuhi

Om Shanti Om

Next of Kin

All Movies (152)

• Awarapan 22026 · as Nafisa
• Batwara 19472026 · as Mai
• Bun Tikki2025
• Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen2025
• Ghoomer2023 · as Anina's Grandmother
• Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani2023 · as Jamini Chatterji
• Good Morning Sunshine2023
• What's Love Got to Do with It?2023 · as Aisha Khan
• The Master: Shyam Benegal2022 · as Herself
• Sheer Qorma2021 · as Ammi
• Kaali Khuhi2020 · as Satya Maasi
• Letter From Your Far-Off Country2020 · as Self (archive footage)
• Aunty Ji2018 · as Parvin
• Kaifinama2018
• The Black Prince2017 · as Rani Jindan
• The Wishing Tree2017 · as The Gypsy Woman
• Sonata2017 · as Dolon
• Signature Move2017 · as Parveen
• Neerja2016 · as Rama Bhanot
• Chalk N Duster2016 · as Vidya Sawant
• Jazbaa2015
• Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema2015 · as Self
• A Decent Arrangement2014 · as Preeti
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist2013 · as Ammi
• Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola2013 · as Chaudhari Devi
• Midnight's Children2012 · as Naseem
• Celluloid Man2012 · as Self
• Love Breakups Zindagi2011 · as Naina's Mother
• It's a Wonderful Afterlife2010 · as Mrs. Sethi
• Luck by Chance2009 · as Self
• Sorry Bhai2008 · as Gayatri
• Dus Kahaniyaan2007
• Om Shanti Om2007 · as Self
• Positive2007
• Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.2007 · as Naheed
• Loins of Punjab Presents2007 · as Rrita Kapoor
• Umrao Jaan2006 · as Khanum Jaan
• Banglatown Banquet2006 · as Sofia
• 15 Park Avenue2006 · as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
• Morning Raga2004 · as Swarnalata
• Tehzeeb2003 · as Rukhsana Jamal
• Makdee2002 · as Makdee
• Devi Ahilya Bai2002
• Meghla Akash2001
• Daughters of This Century2001 · as Kadambini
• Gaja Gamini2000 · as Premchand's Nirmala
• Hari-Bhari2000 · as Ghazala
• Godmother1999 · as Rambhi
• Side Streets1998 · as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
• Bada Din1998
• Fire1997 · as Radha
• Mrityudand1997 · as Chandravati
• Saaz1997 · as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
• In Custody1994 · as Imtiaz Begum
• Son of the Pink Panther1993 · as Queen
• The Kite1993 · as Jitni
• Immaculate Conception1992 · as Samira
• City of Joy1992 · as Kamla H. Pal
• Jhoothi Shaan1991 · as Krishna
• Dharavi1991 · as Kumud
• Fateh1991
• Amba1990 · as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
• Death of a Doctor1990 · as Seema
• Disha1990
• Main Azaad Hoon1989 · as Subhashini Saigal
• Sati1989 · as Uma
• Ek Din Achanak1989 · as Neeta Roy
• Oonch Neech Beech1989 · as Tulsi
• Picnic1989
• Rakhwala1989
• The Bengali Night1988 · as Indira Sen
• Madame Sousatzka1988 · as Sushila Sen
• Pestonjee1988 · as Jeroo
• Mardon Wali Baat1988
• Libaas1988 · as Seema
• Susman1987
• Ek Pal1986 · as Priyam
• Nasihat1986 · as Sunita
• Genesis1986 · as The woman
• Anjuman1986 · as Anjuman
• Khamosh1986 · as Shabana Azmi
• Shart1986 · as Kiran Dutt
• Samay Ki Dhaara1986 · as Madhvi A. Verma
• Bhavna1984 · as Bhavna Saxena
• Paar1984 · as Rama
• Gangvaa1984 · as Jamuna
• Kamla1984 · as Sarita Jadhav
• The Ruins1984 · as Jamini
• Hum Rahe Na Hum1984 · as Mohini P. Sahani
• Lorie1984 · as Geeta Malhotra
• Yaadon Ki Zanjeer1984 · as Manju
• Doosri Dulhan1983 · as Chanda
• Sweekar Kiya Maine1983 · as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
• Avtaar1983
• Mandi1983 · as Rukmini Bai
• Masoom1983 · as Indu D. Malhotra
• Raaste Pyar Ke1982 · as Shyama
• Anokha Bandhan1982 · as Annapurna (Anu)
• Arth1982 · as Pooja
• Yeh Nazdeekiyan1982 · as Shobna
• Ashanti1982 · as Kamini
• Namkeen1982
• Suraag1982
• Log Kya Kahenge1982 · as Roma
• Shama1981
• Ek Hi Bhool1981 · as Meenakshi
• Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai1981 · as Stella
• Sameera1981
• Jwalamukhi1980 · as Kiran
• Hum Paanch1980 · as Sundariya
• Ek Baar Kaho1980 · as Aarti Mathur
• Apne Paraye1980 · as Sheila
• Yeh Kaisa Insaf?1980 · as Madhu R. Nath
• Thodisi Bewafaii1980
• Sparsh1980 · as Kavita
• Lahu Ke Do Rang1979 · as Roma
• Jeena Yahan1979 · as Lekha
• Kaifi Azmi1979 · as (Herself)
• Amar Deep1979
• Junoon1978 · as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
• Devata1978
• Atithee1978 · as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
• Khoon Ki Pukaar1978
• Kissaa Kursee Kaa1978 · as Janata
• Swarg Narak1978 · as Geeta
• Toote Khilone1978
• Parvarish1977 · as Shabu
• The Chess Players1977 · as Khurshid
• Amar Akbar Anthony1977 · as Laxmi
• Hira Aur Patthar1977 · as Gauri
• Karm1977 · as Neelam Kumar
• Khel Khilari Ka1977 · as Rachna
• Chor Sipahee1977 · as Priya
• Vishwasghaat1977 · as Seema
• Jallian Wala Bagh1977
• Swami1977 · as Saudamini
• Adha Din Adhi Raat1977 · as Radha / Babli
• Kanneshwara Rama1977 · as Malli
• Shaque1976
• Fakira1976 · as Neeta / Geeta
• Kadambari1976 · as Chetna
• Nishant1975 · as Sushila
• Ishk Ishk Ishk1974 · as Pammy
• Parinay1974 · as Rekha
• Ankur: The Seedling1974 · as Laxmi
• Faslah1974 · as Asha Premchand
• Munshi Ji1973
• Masoom1973
• Masoom: The Next Generation—
• USA v Raj— · as Pammi Bothra
• Imaginary Rain—
• Benegal's New Cinema—

All TV Shows (9)

• Dabba Cartel2025 · as Sheila
• Angry Young Men2024 · as Self
• Halo2022 · as Margaret Parangosky
• The Empire2021 · as Aisan Daulat Begum
• Next of Kin2018 · as Mrs. Shirani
• Capital2015 · as Mrs. Kamal
• Koffee with Karan2004 · as Self
• Indian Idol2004 · as Self
• The Discovery of India1988 · as Rangamma