Acting · New Delhi, India · Born September 18, 1950
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.
MovieAwarapan 2
2026
as Nafisa
MovieBatwara 1947
2026
as Mai
TVDabba Cartel
2025
as Sheila
Bun Tikki
2025
MovieParama: A Journey with Aparna Sen
2025
TVAngry Young Men
2024
as Self
MovieGhoomer
2023
as Anina's Grandmother
MovieRocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
2023
as Jamini Chatterji
MovieGood Morning Sunshine
2023
MovieWhat's Love Got to Do with It?
2023
as Aisha Khan
The Master: Shyam Benegal
2022
as Herself
TVHalo
2022
as Margaret Parangosky
TVThe Empire
2021
as Aisan Daulat Begum
MovieSheer Qorma
2021
as Ammi
MovieKaali Khuhi
2020
as Satya Maasi
MovieLetter From Your Far-Off Country
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieAunty Ji
2018
as Parvin
TVNext of Kin
2018
as Mrs. Shirani
MovieKaifinama
2018
MovieThe Black Prince
2017
as Rani Jindan
MovieThe Wishing Tree
2017
as The Gypsy Woman
MovieSonata
2017
as Dolon
MovieSignature Move
2017
as Parveen
MovieNeerja
2016
as Rama Bhanot
MovieChalk N Duster
2016
as Vidya Sawant
TVCapital
2015
as Mrs. Kamal
MovieJazbaa
2015
MovieBollywood and Beyond: A Century of Indian Cinema
2015
as Self
MovieA Decent Arrangement
2014
as Preeti
MovieThe Reluctant Fundamentalist
2013
as Ammi
MovieMatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
2013
as Chaudhari Devi
MovieMidnight's Children
2012
as Naseem
MovieCelluloid Man
2012
as Self
MovieLove Breakups Zindagi
2011
as Naina's Mother
MovieIt's a Wonderful Afterlife
2010
as Mrs. Sethi
MovieLuck by Chance
2009
as Self
MovieSorry Bhai
2008
as Gayatri
MovieDus Kahaniyaan
2007
MovieOm Shanti Om
2007
as Self
Positive
2007
MovieHoneymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
2007
as Naheed
MovieLoins of Punjab Presents
2007
as Rrita Kapoor
MovieUmrao Jaan
2006
as Khanum Jaan
MovieBanglatown Banquet
2006
as Sofia
Movie15 Park Avenue
2006
as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur
TVKoffee with Karan
2004
as Self
MovieMorning Raga
2004
as Swarnalata
TVIndian Idol
2004
as Self
MovieTehzeeb
2003
as Rukhsana Jamal
MovieMakdee
2002
as Makdee
MovieDevi Ahilya Bai
2002
MovieMeghla Akash
2001
MovieDaughters of This Century
2001
as Kadambini
MovieGaja Gamini
2000
as Premchand's Nirmala
MovieHari-Bhari
2000
as Ghazala
MovieGodmother
1999
as Rambhi
MovieSide Streets
1998
as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj
MovieBada Din
1998
MovieFire
1997
as Radha
MovieMrityudand
1997
as Chandravati
MovieSaaz
1997
as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan
MovieIn Custody
1994
as Imtiaz Begum
MovieSon of the Pink Panther
1993
as Queen
MovieThe Kite
1993
as Jitni
MovieImmaculate Conception
1992
as Samira
MovieCity of Joy
1992
as Kamla H. Pal
MovieJhoothi Shaan
1991
as Krishna
MovieDharavi
1991
as Kumud
MovieFateh
1991
Antarnaad
1991
MovieAmba
1990
as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
MovieDeath of a Doctor
1990
as Seema
MovieDisha
1990
MovieMain Azaad Hoon
1989
as Subhashini Saigal
MovieSati
1989
as Uma
MovieEk Din Achanak
1989
as Neeta Roy
MovieOonch Neech Beech
1989
as Tulsi
Picnic
1989
MovieRakhwala
1989
MovieThe Bengali Night
1988
as Indira Sen
MovieMadame Sousatzka
1988
as Sushila Sen
MoviePestonjee
1988
as Jeroo
MovieMardon Wali Baat
1988
TVThe Discovery of India
1988
as Rangamma
MovieLibaas
1988
as Seema
MovieSusman
1987
MovieEk Pal
1986
as Priyam
MovieNasihat
1986
as Sunita
MovieGenesis
1986
as The woman
MovieAnjuman
1986
as Anjuman
MovieKhamosh
1986
as Shabana Azmi
MovieShart
1986
as Kiran Dutt
MovieSamay Ki Dhaara
1986
as Madhvi A. Verma
MovieBhavna
1984
as Bhavna Saxena
MoviePaar
1984
as Rama
MovieGangvaa
1984
as Jamuna
MovieKamla
1984
as Sarita Jadhav
MovieThe Ruins
1984
as Jamini
MovieHum Rahe Na Hum
1984
as Mohini P. Sahani
MovieLorie
1984
as Geeta Malhotra
MovieYaadon Ki Zanjeer
1984
as Manju
MovieDoosri Dulhan
1983
as Chanda
MovieSweekar Kiya Maine
1983
as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla
MovieAvtaar
1983
MovieMandi
1983
as Rukmini Bai
MovieMasoom
1983
as Indu D. Malhotra
MovieRaaste Pyar Ke
1982
as Shyama
MovieAnokha Bandhan
1982
as Annapurna (Anu)
MovieArth
1982
as Pooja
MovieYeh Nazdeekiyan
1982
as Shobna
MovieAshanti
1982
as Kamini
MovieNamkeen
1982
Suraag
1982
MovieLog Kya Kahenge
1982
as Roma
Shama
1981
MovieEk Hi Bhool
1981
as Meenakshi
MovieAlbert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai
1981
as Stella
MovieSameera
1981
MovieJwalamukhi
1980
as Kiran
MovieHum Paanch
1980
as Sundariya
MovieEk Baar Kaho
1980
as Aarti Mathur
MovieApne Paraye
1980
as Sheila
MovieYeh Kaisa Insaf?
1980
as Madhu R. Nath
MovieThodisi Bewafaii
1980
MovieSparsh
1980
as Kavita Prasad
MovieLahu Ke Do Rang
1979
as Roma
MovieJeena Yahan
1979
as Lekha
MovieKaifi Azmi
1979
as (Herself)
MovieAmar Deep
1979
MovieJunoon
1978
as Firdaus (Javed's wife)
MovieDevata
1978
MovieAtithee
1978
as Leela M. Kumar / Julie
MovieKhoon Ki Pukaar
1978
MovieKissaa Kursee Kaa
1978
as Janata
MovieSwarg Narak
1978
as Geeta
MovieToote Khilone
1978
MovieParvarish
1977
as Shabu
MovieThe Chess Players
1977
as Khurshid
MovieAmar Akbar Anthony
1977
as Laxmi
MovieHira Aur Patthar
1977
as Gauri
MovieKarm
1977
as Neelam Kumar
MovieKhel Khilari Ka
1977
as Rachna
MovieChor Sipahee
1977
as Priya
MovieVishwasghaat
1977
as Seema
MovieJallian Wala Bagh
1977
MovieSwami
1977
as Saudamini
MovieAdha Din Adhi Raat
1977
as Radha / Babli
MovieKanneshwara Rama
1977
as Malli
MovieShaque
1976
MovieFakira
1976
as Neeta / Geeta
MovieKadambari
1976
as Chetna
MovieNishant
1975
as Sushila
MovieIshk Ishk Ishk
1974
as Pammy
MovieParinay
1974
as Rekha
MovieAnkur: The Seedling
1974
as Laxmi
MovieFaslah
1974
as Asha Premchand
MovieMunshi Ji
1973
Masoom
1973
Masoom: The Next Generation
USA v Raj
as Pammi Bothra
Imaginary Rain
MovieBenegal's New Cinema
