Shabana Azmi is one of India's prominent actresses, known for her work in Hindi cinema, theatre and international films. She became one of the leading performers of India's parallel cinema movement during the 1970s and 1980s and has also appeared in mainstream Hindi films and international productions.
Her notable films include Ankur, Arth, Khandhar, Paar, Masoom, Mandi, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Amar Akbar Anthony, Fire, Godmother, Mrityudand, Neerja, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Her performance in Godmother earned her another National Film Award for Best Actress.Shabana Azmi was born on 18 September 1950 in New Delhi to renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi and theatre and film actress Shaukat Azmi. She studied at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai and later trained in acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where she completed her acting course with distinction and received a gold medal.
She made her film debut with Ankur (1974), directed by Shyam Benegal. Her performance established her as an important actor of the emerging parallel cinema movement. She subsequently worked with acclaimed filmmakers including Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, Aparna Sen and Shekhar Kapur.
Shabana Azmi has won the National Film Award for Best Actress five times, for Ankur (1975), Arth (1983), Khandhar (1984), Paar (1985) and Godmother (1999). She has also received several Filmfare Awards and international honours for her performances.
Her career extends beyond Hindi cinema. She has worked in theatre and international productions and has appeared in films such as Madame Sousatzka, Fire, The Black Prince, What's Love Got to Do with It? and other international projects. She has also received the Padma Shri in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012 from the Government of India.
Shabana Azmi continues to remain active in acting and public cultural life. Her more recent work includes Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as contemporary film and streaming projects.