Shabana Azmi
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
Indian Idol
Self
2004
Series
Halo
Margaret Parangosky
2022
Film
Batwara 1947
Mai
2026
Film
Awarapan 2
Nafisa Nawaz
2026
Series
Koffee with Karan
Self
2004
Series
The Discovery of India
Rangamma
1988
Series
Dabba Cartel
Sheila
2025
Film
Om Shanti Om
Self
2007
Series
Next of Kin
Mrs. Shirani
2018
Film
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Ammi
2013
Series
Capital
Mrs. Kamal
2015
Film
What's Love Got to Do with It?
Aisha Khan
2023
Film
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Jamini Chatterji
2023
Film
City of Joy
Kamla H. Pal
1992
Series
Angry Young Men
Self
2024
Film
Son of the Pink Panther
Queen
1993
Series
The Empire
Aisan Daulat Begum
2021
Film
Midnight's Children
Naseem
2012
Film
Luck by Chance
Self
2009
Film
The Bengali Night
Indira Sen
1988
Film
Neerja
Rama Bhanot
2016
Film
Madame Sousatzka
Sushila Sen
1988
Film
Hum Paanch
Sundariya
1980
Film
Amar Akbar Anthony
Laxmi
1977
Film
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Naheed
2007
Film
Makdee
Makdee
2002
Imaginary Rain
Film
Jhoothi Shaan
Krishna
1991
Film
The Black Prince
Rani Jindan
2017
Film
Meghla Akash
2001
Film
Side Streets
Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
1998
Film
The Chess Players
Khurshid
1977
Film
Fire
Radha
1997
Film
Masoom
Indu D. Malhotra
1983
Film
Aunty Ji
Parvin
2018
Film
Death of a Doctor
Seema
1990
Film
Junoon
Firdaus (Javed's wife)
1978
Film
Mandi
Rukmini Bai
1983
Film
Dus Kahaniyaan
2007
Suraag
1982
Film
Tehzeeb
Rukhsana Jamal
2003
Film
Ishk Ishk Ishk
Pammy
1974
Film
Bhavna
Bhavna Saxena
1984
Film
Ashanti
Kamini
1982
Film
Immaculate Conception
Samira
1992
Film
Jazbaa
2015
Film
Mrityudand
Chandravati
1997
Film
Ghoomer
Anina's Grandmother
2023
Film
Arth
Pooja
1982
Film
Umrao Jaan
Khanum Jaan
2006
Masoom: The Next Generation
Film
Paar
Rama
1984
Film
15 Park Avenue
Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
2006
Film
Ankur: The Seedling
Laxmi
1974
Film
Khel Khilari Ka
Rachna
1977
Film
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai
Stella
1981
Film
Namkeen
1982
Film
Parvarish
Shabu
1977
Film
Hum Rahe Na Hum
Mohini P. Sahani
1984
Film
Loins of Punjab Presents
Rrita Kapoor
2007
Film
Jwalamukhi
Kiran
1980
Film
Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema
Self
2015
Film
It's a Wonderful Afterlife
Mrs. Sethi
2010
Film
Amar Deep
1979
Film
Lorie
Geeta Malhotra
1984
Film
Chalk N Duster
Vidya Sawant
2016
Film
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Chaudhari Devi
2013
Film
Avtaar
1983
Film
Ek Pal
Priyam
1986
Film
Gaja Gamini
Premchand's Nirmala
2000
Film
Nasihat
Sunita
1986
Film
Vishwasghaat
Seema
1977
Film
Yaadon Ki Zanjeer
Manju
1984
Film
Genesis
The woman
1986
Film
Susman
1987
Film
Fakira
Neeta / Geeta
1976
Film
Shaque
1976
Film
Apne Paraye
Sheila
1980
Film
Bada Din
1998
Film
Main Azaad Hoon
Subhashini Saigal
1989
Film
Signature Move
Parveen
2017
Film
Gangvaa
Jamuna
1984
Film
Love Breakups Zindagi
Naina's Mother
2011
Film
Sameera
1981
Film
Khamosh
Shabana Azmi
1986
Film
Sparsh
Kavita Prasad
1980
Film
In Custody
Imtiaz Begum
1994
Film
Jallian Wala Bagh
1977
Film
Hira Aur Patthar
Gauri
1977
Shama
1981
Film
Lahu Ke Do Rang
Roma
1979
Film
Amba
Amba Bhanupratap Singh
1990
Film
Saaz
Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
1997
Film
Nishant
Sushila
1975
Film
The Ruins
Jamini
1984
Film
Thodisi Bewafaii
1980
Film
Karm
Neelam Kumar
1977
Film
Swarg Narak
Geeta
1978
Film
Swami
Saudamini
1977
Film
Kaali Khuhi
Satya Maasi
2020
Film
Fateh
Shabana
1991
Film
Kaifinama
2018
Film
Faslah
Asha Premchand
1974
Film
Anokha Bandhan
Annapurna (Anu)
1982
Film
Kanneshwara Rama
Malli
1977
Film
Chor Sipahee
Priya
1977
Film
The Wishing Tree
The Gypsy Woman
2017
Film
Adha Din Adhi Raat
Radha / Babli
1977
Film
Kamla
Sarita Jadhav
1984
Film
Sati
Uma
1989
Film
Dharavi
Kumud
1991
Film
Morning Raga
Swarnalata
2004
Positive
2007
Film
Kadambari
Chetna
1976
Film
Celluloid Man
Self
2012
Film
Ek Baar Kaho
Aarti Mathur
1980
Film
Hari-Bhari
Ghazala
2000
The Master: Shyam Benegal
Herself
2022
Film
Raaste Pyar Ke
Shyama
1982
Film
The Kite
Jitni
1993
Film
Benegal's New Cinema
2014
Film
Oonch Neech Beech
Tulsi
1989
Film
Daughters of This Century
Kadambini
2001
Film
Yeh Kaisa Insaf?
Madhu R. Nath
1980
Film
Disha
1990
Film
Jeena Yahan
Lekha
1979
Film
Devata
1978
Film
Mardon Wali Baat
1988
Film
Libaas
Seema
1988
Film
Banglatown Banquet
Sofia
2006
Film
Ek Hi Bhool
Meenakshi
1981
Film
Shart
Kiran Dutt
1986
Film
Atithee
Leela M. Kumar / Julie
1978
Film
Sweekar Kiya Maine
Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
1983
Film
Rakhwala
1989
Film
Pestonjee
Jeroo
1988
Bun Tikki
2025
Film
Godmother
Rambhi
1999
Film
Kissaa Kursee Kaa
Janata
1978
USA v Raj
Pammi Bothra
Film
Good Morning Sunshine
2023
Film
Yeh Nazdeekiyan
Shobna
1982
Film
Samay Ki Dhaara
Madhvi A. Verma
1986
Film
Devi Ahilya Bai
2002
Film
Doosri Dulhan
Chanda
1983
Antarnaad
1991
Film
Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen
2025
Picnic
1989
Film
Log Kya Kahenge
Roma
1982
Film
Khoon Ki Pukaar
1978
Film
Sheer Qorma
Ammi
2021
Film
Ek Din Achanak
Neeta Roy
1989
Film
Kaifi Azmi
(Herself)
1979
Film
Letter from Your Far-Off Country
Self (archive footage)
2020
Film
Munshi Ji
1973
Film
Sorry Bhai
Gayatri
2008
Film
Toote Khilone
1978
Film
Parinay
Rekha
1974
Film
Sonata
Dolon
2017
Masoom
1973
Film
Anjuman
Anjuman
1986
Film
A Romance in the Sky
Film
A Decent Arrangement
Preeti
2014