One of the leading lights of the now-largely-defunct Indian New Wave, Shabana Azmi (alongside the late Smita Patil) was one of the main female actors who dominated the films of the so-called “Parallel Cinema”” in India in the 1970s and 1980s. Born to noted Urdu progressive poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi and theatre actress Shaukat Azmi, Shabana has acted in films by virtually all of India’s most famous art-house directors including Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen and others, as well as in commercial and middle-of-the-road Hindi films, where she has essayed several strong female characters (e.g., in Mrityudand: The Death Sentence (1997) and Godmother (1999)). Shabana Azmi was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna in 7 successful films.She is noted for her naturalness and intensity on-screen, matched by her fierce advocacy of the rights of women, minorities and slum-dwellers off-screen, both through activism and in her role as a Member of Parliament, where her consistent stand in defense of liberal values and the freedom of expression is noteworthy. She has also acted on stage to considerable acclaim, most notably in Tumhari Amrita with Farookh Sheikh. She is married to noted scriptwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar.”
Shabana Azmi
Movies
Amar Akbar Anthony
A ex-convict must flee his mob boss, leaving his family to fend for themselves. His wife goes blind and his children are abandoned. They are adopted by a Hindu policeman, a Muslim tailor, and a Catholic priest. The Hindu-raised son becomes a policeman in his turn; his Muslim-raised brother becomes…
Amar Deep
Raja was adopted by a criminal don (Ashok Kumar) at a very young age. After the death of the don, Raja inherits the property, and refrains from crime. However, the wealth and the power associated with it, make him arrogant. He desires Radha, the daughter of his servant, Ramu, and…
Fakira
In order to help the poor and needy; Vijay alias Fakira rob a gang leader, Chimanlal on multiple occasions of his cash and smuggled goods. This makes him a target of the police and Chimanlal himself; Chimanlal hires a man name Toofan to either capture Fakira or bring his dead…
Makdee
In a small North Indian village, Legend has it that a 100 years-old witch lives in an abandoned mansion on the village outskirts, and any person who goes inside is turned into an animal. In the same village a clever, naughty girl named Chunni (Shweta Prasad) lives with her widowed…
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Honeymoon Travels is an off-beat drama weaving together the stories of 6 couples on their honeymoons on the same tourist bus. There are old-timers Nahid & Oscar on their second marriages, reflective and forgiving of live. Then there’s the Gujrati couple Hitesh and Shilpa who can’t get anywhere near each…
Thodisi Bewafai
Arun takes on the responsibility for the care of his step-mother (Sujatha) and step-sisters on the death of his father. Losses in business result in the sale of their palatial home, and Arun together with his wife (Neema – Shabana Azmi) move to a smaller house. Tensions escalate between Neema…
Nishant
Vishwam (Naseeruddin Shah) is the youngest brother of the powerful and influential village Zamindar (Amrish Puri). The Zamindar will not hesitate to do anything for the welfare and protection of his family, which also includes bending the law to his own advantage. Vishwam is married to Rukmani (Smita Patil), and…
Itihaas
Time begets History – it may be at the war front, at a nation or of a household. Joginder Singh was a dedicated Police Officer of Commissioner rank. He had his wife, two sons Vijay and Rakesh and daughter Jyoti. One day when Rakesh arrested Kalicharan, henchman of Alexander the…
Om Shanti Om
Om Prakash Makhija is a Junior Artist in the 1970s Hindi film industry and in love with actress Shantipriya. Om rescues Shanti from an out-of-control fire scene and they become friends. His hopes seem to be coming true–until he finds out that she’s married to film producer Mukesh Mehra and…
Jazbaa
Anuradha Verma is a prominent criminal lawyer and a single mother who has never lost a case. One day her daughter Sanaya is kidnapped and no ransom is demanded, but instead the kidnapper contacts her and tells her that she has to defend a convicted felon to get her daughter…
Songs
Fun Facts
Aunt of Tabu and 'Farha'. Their mother Rizwana is the sister of Shabana Azmi.
One of India's most respected actresses, working in commercial and art house films alike.
Daughter of Kaifi Azmi and Shaukat Azmi.
Had a seven year long relationship with Shekhar Kapur.
Considered to be the best Indian actress of her generation together with Smita Patil.
She is a huge supporter of Benazir Bhutto.
Sister of Baba Azmi.
Rajesh Khanna-Shabana Azmi were paired romantically in 7 films and 6 were blockbusters and 1 was an average grosser at box office.
Had successful on-screen chemistry with Rajesh Khanna and had 7 super-hit films.
Aunt to Bollywood actor Kamran Rizvi.
Shabana Azmi is currently in the UK filming the lead role in Banglatown Banquet (2006) for the BBC written by Tanika Gupta, directed by 'Hettie Macdonald' and produced by 'Sam Hill'. Executive producers are Will Trotter, 'Sally Woodward' and Tessa Finch. [January 2006]
Cousin to Cameraman Ishan Arya. Ishan is married to Sulbha Arya (Mother of Sameer Arya. Sameer is married to Goldie Behl's daughter Shristi).
Was engaged to Benjamin Gilani in 1974.
Had a brother named Khayyam. He passed away when he was 1 year old.
Was involved with Boney Kapoor in the early 80's.
Was involved with actor Uday Chandra in the early 70's.
Starred in Vaishnav Movies shelved film in 1986. Starring Shabana Azmi, Marc Zuber.
Starred in Rai Bahadur Productions shelved movie "Dilkash"" ( 1976). Starring Shashi Kapoor
Quotes
I find it very frightening to be called an icon. To be institutionalised.
The trick of enjoying life is to accept your age. Don't fight the years, grow with them.
To speak in Parliament you really need to do your homework, otherwise you can be torn to shreds.
You cannot be detached from what you portray. I think it is inevitable that the roles you play affect you. The residue is bound to remain, even after you've played the role.
I'm not averse to doing anything as long as it's not at cross purposes with my values and I can make time for it.
I had become a fan of Rajesh Khanna even before I got into films. I was very happy to be cast opposite him in 7 successful films. I never dreamed of getting chance to act opposite such a good looking versatile hero.Khanna had a great understanding of the script and characters and on-screen he had the acumen to know exactly where Khanna the star ended and the character began which explained the brilliance of his turns in each film he did with me, Sharmila, Smita, Hema, Asha Parekhji, Zeenat, Padmini and others.
My personal favorite actor is Rajesh Khanna. I have utmost respect for him.He is the real Superstar and is among my favorite co-stars. He had an amazing blend of super-star distancing, moods, eccentricities and attitude with total groundedness, accessibility and warmth. He never got irritated with fan mobbing or hysteria. He was very affectionate with all of them and that worked superbly for him.