Shabana Azmi
Acting • Born 1950-09-18
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.
Filmography
161 credits
Fire
Movie • 1997
Radha
Masoom
Movie • 1983
Indu D. Malhotra
15 Park Avenue
Movie • 2006
Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
Sorry Bhai
Movie • 2008
Gayatri
Loins of Punjab Presents
Movie • 2007
Rrita Kapoor
It's a Wonderful Afterlife
Movie • 2010
Mrs. Sethi
Swarg Narak
Movie • 1978
Geeta
Amar Akbar Anthony
Movie • 1977
Laxmi
Letter From Your Far-Off Country
Movie • 2020
Self (archive footage)
Celluloid Man
Movie • 2012
Self
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Movie • 2007
Naheed
Umrao Jaan
Movie • 2006
Khanum Jaan
Son of the Pink Panther
Movie • 1993
Queen
City of Joy
Movie • 1992
Kamla H. Pal
Susman (The Essence)
Movie • 1987
Parinay
Movie • 1974
Rekha
Apne Paraye
Movie • 1980
Sheila
Doosri Dulhan
Movie • 1983
Chanda
In Custody
Movie • 1994
Imtiaz Begum
Faslah
Movie • 1974
Asha Premchand
Arth
Movie • 1982
Pooja
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai
Movie • 1981
Stella
Midnight's Children
Movie • 2012
Naseem
Daughters of This Century
Movie • 2001
Kadambini
Suraag
Movie • 1982
Yeh Nazdeekiyan
Movie • 1982
Shobna
Jwalamukhi
Movie • 1980
Kiran
Karm
Movie • 1977
Neelam Kumar
Lahu Ke Do Rang
Movie • 1979
Roma
Tehzeeb
Movie • 2003
Rukhsana Jamal
Ghoomer
Movie • 2023
Anina's Grandmother
Makdee
Movie • 2002
Makdee
Sameera
Movie • 1981
Madame Sousatzka
Movie • 1988
Sushila Sen
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Movie • 2013
Chaudhari Devi
Side Streets
Movie • 1998
Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
The Crossing
Movie • 1984
Rama
Mandi
Movie • 1983
Rukmini Bai
Parvarish
Movie • 1977
Shabu
Junoon
Movie • 1978
Firdaus (Javed's wife)
Sparsh
Movie • 1980
Kavita
Khamosh
Movie • 1986
Shabana Azmi
Nishant
Movie • 1975
Sushila
Morning Raga
Movie • 2004
Swarnalata
Gangvaa
Movie • 1984
Jamuna
Suddenly, One Day
Movie • 1989
Neeta Roy
The Ruins
Movie • 1984
Jamini
Sweekar Kiya Maine
Movie • 1983
Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
Pestonjee
Movie • 1988
Jeroo
Amba
Movie • 1990
Amba Bhanupratap Singh
Raaste Pyar Ke
Movie • 1982
Shyama
Kadambari
Movie • 1976
Chetna
Libaas
Movie • 1988
Seema
Yeh Kaisa Insaf?
Movie • 1980
Madhu R. Nath
Toote Khilone
Movie • 1978
Adha Din Adhi Raat
Movie • 1977
Radha / Babli
Ankur: The Seedling
Movie • 1974
Laxmi
Hum Paanch
Movie • 1980
Sundariya
The Bengali Night
Movie • 1988
Indira Sen
Nasihat
Movie • 1986
Sunita
Hum Rahe Na Hum
Movie • 1984
Mohini P. Sahani
Samay Ki Dhaara
Movie • 1986
Madhvi A. Verma
Bun Tikki
Movie • 2025
Ek Baar Kaho
Movie • 1980
Aarti Mathur
Jeena Yahan
Movie • 1979
Lekha
Aunty Ji
Movie • 2018
Parvin
Picnic
Movie • 1989
Lahore 1947
Movie • 2026
Mai
Dharavi
Movie • 1991
Kumud
Sati
Movie • 1989
Uma
Ek Pal
Movie • 1986
Priyam
Death of a Doctor
Movie • 1990
Seema
The Chess Players
Movie • 1977
Khurshid
Jazbaa
Movie • 2015
Positive
Movie • 2007
Chalk N Duster
Movie • 2016
Vidya Sawant
Neerja
Movie • 2016
Rama Bhanot
Namkeen
Movie • 1982
Godmother
Movie • 1999
Rambhi
The Kite
Movie • 1993
Jitni
Bada Din
Movie • 1998
Swami
Movie • 1977
Saudamini
A Decent Arrangement
Movie • 2014
Preeti
Good Morning Sunshine
Movie • 2023
Kanneshwara Rama
Movie • 1977
Malli
Hari-Bhari
Movie • 2000
Ghazala
Luck by Chance
Movie • 2009
Self
Anokha Bandhan
Movie • 1982
Annapurna (Anu)
Log Kya Kahenge
Movie • 1982
Roma
Signature Move
Movie • 2017
Parveen
Banglatown Banquet
Movie • 2006
Sofia
Disha
Movie • 1990
The Wishing Tree
Movie • 2017
The Gypsy Woman
Immaculate Conception
Movie • 1992
Samira
Main Azaad Hoon
Movie • 1989
Subhashini Saigal
Fakira
Movie • 1976
Neeta / Geeta
Khel Khilari Ka
Movie • 1977
Rachna
The Black Prince
Movie • 2017
Rani Jindan
Anjuman
Movie • 1986
Anjuman
Jhoothi Shaan
Movie • 1991
Krishna
Kamla
Movie • 1984
Sarita Jadhav
Chor Sipahee
Movie • 1977
Priya
Avtaar
Movie • 1983
Rakhwala
Movie • 1989
Mardon Wali Baat
Movie • 1988
Fateh
Movie • 1991
Thodisi Bewafaii
Movie • 1980
Hira Aur Patthar
Movie • 1977
Gauri
Amar Deep
Movie • 1979
Ashanti
Movie • 1982
Kamini
Kaifinama
Movie • 2018
Atithee
Movie • 1978
Leela M. Kumar / Julie
Gaja Gamini
Movie • 2000
Premchand's Nirmala
Love Breakups Zindagi
Movie • 2011
Naina's Mother
Saaz
Movie • 1997
Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
Bollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema
Movie • 2015
Self
Dus Kahaniyaan
Movie • 2007
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Movie • 2013
Ammi
Devata
Movie • 1978
Khoon Ki Pukaar
Movie • 1978
Genesis
Movie • 1986
The woman
Mrityudand
Movie • 1997
Chandravati
Yaadon Ki Zanjeer
Movie • 1984
Manju
Shaque
Movie • 1976
Oonch Neech Beech
Movie • 1989
Tulsi
Kissaa Kursee Kaa
Movie • 1978
Janata
Lorie
Movie • 1984
Geeta Malhotra
Kaali Khuhi
Movie • 2020
Satya Maasi
Sonata
Movie • 2017
Dolon
Om Shanti Om
Movie • 2007
Self
Shart
Movie • 1986
Kiran Dutt
Ek Hi Bhool
Movie • 1981
Meenakshi
What's Love Got to Do with It?
Movie • 2023
Aisha Khan
Jallian Wala Bagh
Movie • 1977
Sheer Qorma
Movie • 2021
Ammi
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Movie • 2023
Jamini Chatterji
Ishk Ishk Ishk
Movie • 1974
Pammy
Devi Ahilya Bai
Movie • 2002
Masoom: The New Generation
Movie
Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen
Movie • 2025
Munshi Ji
Movie • 1973
Masoom 2
Movie
The Master: Shyam Benegal
Movie • 2022
Herself
Bhavna
Movie • 1984
Bhavna Saxena
Masoom
Movie • 1973
Vishwasghaat
Movie • 1977
Seema
Meghla Akash
Movie • 2001
Kaifi Azmi
Movie • 1979
(Herself)
Shama
Movie • 1981
Awarapan 2
Movie • 2026
USA v Raj
Movie
Pammi Bothra
Imaginary Rain
Movie
The Empire
TV • 2021
Aisan Daulat Begum
Capital
TV • 2015
Mrs. Kamal
Next of Kin
TV • 2018
Mrs. Shirani
Dabba Cartel
TV • 2025
Sheila
Koffee with Karan
TV • 2004
Self
Halo
TV • 2022
Margaret Parangosky
The Discovery of India
TV • 1988
Rangamma
Angry Young Men
TV • 2024
Self
Indian Idol
TV • 2004
Self