Shabana Azmi biography
Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress, born on 18 September 1950 in Azamgarh.
Shabana Azmi's screen career began in 1974 with Parinay, playing Rekha.
Shabana Azmi has appeared in 156 films and 10 television or streaming titles in Hindi and Indian cinema.
The most recent films are Batwara 1947 (2026), Awarapan 2 (2026), Ghoomer (2023).
Shabana Azmi is best known for Ankur, Amar Akbar Anthony, Swami, Arth.
Honours include Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri in arts and Gandhi International Peace Award.
Coming up next: Saugaat (2026).
- Born
- 18 September 1950 (age 76)
- Birthplace
- Azamgarh
- Work
- Film actor, Stage actor, Singer, Public figure, Politician
- Film industries
- Hindi and Indian cinema
- Known for
- Ankur, Amar Akbar Anthony, Swami, Arth, Masoom, Libaas
- Awards
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri in arts
- Gandhi International Peace Award
- National Film Award for Best Actress
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Shabana Azmi filmography
157 films and 10 television or streaming titles, newest first.
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saugaat | Anu/Lakshmi | Delayed | |
| 2026 | Batwara 1947 | Mai | ||
| 2026 | Awarapan 2 | Nafisa Nawaz | ||
| 2023 | Ghoomer | Anina's grandmother | ||
| 2023 | Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani | Hindi | ||
| 2023 | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Jamini Chatterjee | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| 2022 | What's Love Got to Do with It? | Aisha Khan | ||
| 2021 | Sheer Qorma | Raziya Khan | ||
| 2020 | Kaali Khuhi | Satya Maasi | Netflix film | |
| 2018 | Aunty Ji | Parveen aunty | ||
| 2017 | The Black Prince | Maharani Jind Kaur | ||
| 2017 | Kalpvriksh | Hindi | ||
| 2017 | The Wishing Tree | Tree Goddess | ||
| 2017 | Sonata | Bengali Widow | ||
| 2017 | Signature Move | Parveen | ||
| 2016 | Neerja | Rama Bhanot | Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| 2016 | Chalk n Duster | Teacher Vidya | ||
| 2015 | Jazbaa | Garima | ||
| 2013 | Mutroo Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola | Haryanvi | ||
| 2013 | The Reluctant Fundamentalist | Ammi | ||
| 2013 | Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola | Chaudhary Devi | ||
| 2012 | Midnight's Children | Naseem | ||
| 2012 | Celluloid Man | Malayalam | ||
| 2011 | A Decent Arrangement | Preeti Mehta | ||
| 2010 | It's a Wonderful Afterlife | Mrs Sethi |
Show all 157 films
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sorry Bhai! | Mother Gayatri | ||
| 2007 | Om Shanti Om | Hindi | ||
| 2007 | Positive | Mrs.Soni | Short film | |
| 2007 | Loins of Punjab Presents | Rrita Kapoor | ||
| 2007 | Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd | Nahid | ||
| 2007 | Dus Kahaniyaan | (Anthology film) story Rice Plate | ||
| 2006 | X-Men: The Last Stand | English | ||
| 2006 | Umrao Jaan | Khanum Sahib | ||
| 2005 | Waterborne | Heera Bhatti | ||
| 2005 | 15 Park Avenue | Anju Mathur | ||
| 2004 | Morning Raga | Swarnlatha | ||
| 2003 | Tehzeeb | Rukhsana Jamal | ||
| 2002 | Makdee | The witch | ||
| 2002 | Meghla Akash | Virology Doctor | Special appearance (Bangladeshi Bengali film) | |
| 2000 | Gaja Gamini | Premchand's Nirmala | Guest appearance | |
| 2000 | Hari-Bhari | Hindi | ||
| 2000 | Hari-Bhari: Fertility | Ghazala | ||
| 1999 | Godmother | Rambhi | Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| 1998 | Side Streets | Chandra Bipin Raj | ||
| 1998 | Earth | Narrator | Voice only | |
| 1998 | Bada Din | Lilian | ||
| 1997 | Saaz | Bansi | ||
| 1997 | Mrityudand | Chandravati | ||
| 1996 | Fire | Radha | ||
| 1995 | Daughters of This Century | Kadambini | ||
| 1994 | Patang | Jitni | ||
| 1993 | Son of the Pink Panther | Queen | ||
| 1993 | In Custody | Imtiaz Begum | ||
| 1992 | Dharavi | Kumud | ||
| 1992 | City of Joy | Kamla Pal | ||
| 1992 | Adharm | Mamta Verma | ||
| 1992 | Immaculate Conception | Samira | ||
| 1991 | Jhoothi Shaan | Krishna | ||
| 1991 | Ek Doctor Ki Maut | Seema | ||
| 1991 | Antarnaad | |||
| 1991 | Fateh | Shabana | ||
| 1990 | Disha | Hansa Sarpat | ||
| 1990 | Muqaddar Ka Badshaah | Advocate Sharda Singh | ||
| 1990 | Amba | Amba | ||
| 1989 | Sati | Uma | ||
| 1989 | Main Azaad Hoon | Subhashni Saigal | ||
| 1989 | Ek Din Achanak | Neeta | ||
| 1989 | Rakhwala | Journalist Kiran | ||
| 1989 | Oonch Neech Beech | Tulsi | Delayed release | |
| 1988 | The Bengali Night | French | ||
| 1988 | Madame Sousatzka | Sushila Sen | ||
| 1988 | Libaas | Seema | Not released commercially | |
| 1988 | Ek Aadmi | |||
| 1988 | Pestonjee | Jeroo | ||
| 1988 | Mardon Wali Baat | Seema | ||
| 1988 | La Nuit Bengali | Indira Sen | ||
| 1987 | Susman | Gauramma | ||
| 1987 | Itihaas | Sunaina | ||
| 1986 | Nasihat | Indrani | ||
| 1986 | Genesis | The Woman | ||
| 1986 | Ek Pal | Priyam | ||
| 1986 | Anjuman | Anjuman | ||
| 1986 | Khamosh | Azmi | ||
| 1986 | Shart | Kiran Dutt | ||
| 1986 | Samay Ki Dharaa | Madhvi | ||
| 1985 | Rahi Badal Gaye | Bhavna | ||
| 1984 | Kamla | Sarita Jadhav | ||
| 1984 | Paar | Rama | Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| 1984 | Lorie | Geeta Malhotra | ||
| 1984 | Khandhar | Jamini | Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| 1984 | Kaamyab | Sita | ||
| 1984 | Bhavna | Bhavna Saxena | Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award | |
| 1984 | Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar | Sushma | ||
| 1984 | Yaadon Ki Zanjeer | Delayed release | ||
| 1984 | Ram Tera Desh | Advocate | Special appearance | |
| 1984 | Hum Rahe Na Hum | Mohini Sahani | ||
| 1984 | Gangvaa | Jamna | ||
| 1983 | Pyaasi Aankhen | |||
| 1983 | Masoom | Indu Malhotra | ||
| 1983 | Mandi | Rukmini Bai | ||
| 1983 | Doosri Dulhan | Chanda | ||
| 1983 | Avtaar | Radha Krishen | ||
| 1983 | Sweekar Kiya Maine | Gopika | ||
| 1982 | Yeh Nazdeekiyan | Shobna | ||
| 1982 | Log Kya Kahenge | Roma | ||
| 1982 | Ashanti | Kamini | ||
| 1982 | Arth | Pooja Malhotra | ||
| 1982 | Anokha Bandhan | Annapurna | ||
| 1982 | Suraag | Sunita/Bela | ||
| 1982 | Raaste Pyar Ke | Shyama | ||
| 1982 | Namkeen | Mitthu | ||
| 1981 | Hum Paanch | Sundariya | ||
| 1981 | Sameera | |||
| 1981 | Ek Hi Bhool | Meenakshi | Special appearance | |
| 1981 | Shama | Shama | ||
| 1980 | Thodisi Bewafaii | Neema | ||
| 1980 | Sparsh | Kavita | ||
| 1980 | Ek Baar Kaho | Aarti Mathur | ||
| 1980 | Apne Paraye | Chandranath's wife | ||
| 1980 | Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai | Hindi | ||
| 1980 | Yeh Kaisa Insaaf | Madhu | ||
| 1980 | Jwalamukhi | Kiran | ||
| 1980 | Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai | Stella | ||
| 1979 | Lahu Ke Do Rang | Roma | ||
| 1979 | Amar Deep | Radha | ||
| 1979 | Junoon | Firdaus | ||
| 1979 | Jeena Yahan | |||
| 1979 | Bagula Bhagat | |||
| 1978 | Toote Khilone | |||
| 1978 | Swarg Narak | Geeta Vinod | ||
| 1978 | Khoon Ki Pukaar | Shano | ||
| 1978 | Devata | Mary/Lily | ||
| 1978 | Atithee | Leela/Julie | ||
| 1977 | The Chess Players | English | ||
| 1977 | Swami | Saudamini | Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award | |
| 1977 | Parvarish | Shabu | ||
| 1977 | Kissa Kursi Ka | Janata | ||
| 1977 | Jallian Wala Bagh | |||
| 1977 | Hira Aur Patthar | Gauri | ||
| 1977 | Ek Hi Raasta | Ketki | ||
| 1977 | Amar Akbar Anthony | Laxmi | ||
| 1977 | Adha Din Adhi Raat | Dr. Radha | ||
| 1977 | Vishwasghaat | Seema | ||
| 1977 | Shatranj Ke Khiladi | Khurshid | ||
| 1977 | Khel Khilari Ka | Rachna | ||
| 1977 | Karm | Neelam | ||
| 1977 | Kanneshwara Rama | Malli | Kannada film | |
| 1977 | Chor Sipahee | Priya | ||
| 1976 | Shaque | Meena Joshi | ||
| 1976 | Kadambari | Chetna | ||
| 1976 | Fakira | Neeta/Geeta | ||
| 1975 | Nishant | Sushila | ||
| 1974 | Ishk Ishk Ishk | Hindi | ||
| 1974 | Faslah | Asha | ||
| 1974 | Ankur | Laxmi | Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| 1974 | Parinay | Rekha | ||
| 1974 | Ishq Ishq Ishq | Pammy |
Television and streaming
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dabba Cartel | Sheila | ||
| 2022 | Halo | Admiral Margaret Paragonsky | American television series | |
| 2021 | The Empire | Aisan Daulat Begum | ||
| 2019 | Rangoli | Host/presenter | Kaifi Azmi special episode | |
| 2018 | The Good Karma Hospital | Anila | British series | |
| 2018 | Next of Kin | Mrs Shirani | British series | |
| 2016 | Amma | Zeenat Sheikh | ||
| 2013 | 24 | Abhilasha Grewal | ||
| 2006 | Banglatown Banquet | Sofia | British television film | |
| 1989 | Picnic | Mother | Television film |