The Life and Times of Shabana Azmi @64

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is known for her par excellence performance in films like Arth, Sparsh, Ankur, among others. The national award winning actress has made her name in social activism via her strong stand. As the awe-inspiring actress turns 64, we take you through a short recap of her impressive journey so far.

  • Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is known for fine performances in films like <i>Arth</i>, <i>Sparsh</i> and <i>Ankur</i>, among others. The National Award-winning actress has also made an impact as a social activist. As she turns 64, we take you through a short recap of her impressive journey so far.
    Veteran actress Shabana Azmi is known for fine performances in films like Arth, Sparsh and Ankur, among others. The National Award-winning actress has also made an impact as a social activist. As she turns 64, we take you through a short recap of her impressive journey so far.
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  • Shabana Azmi was born on September 18, 1950 in New Delhi, India into a Muslim family with strong artistic ties. Her parents were poet Kaifi Azmi and actress Shaukat Azmi. Her brother, Baba Azmi, is a cinematographer and his wife Tanvi, an actress. Indian actresses Farah Naaz and Tabu are her nieces.
    Shabana Azmi was born on September 18, 1950 in New Delhi, India into a Muslim family with strong artistic ties. Her parents were poet Kaifi Azmi and actress Shaukat Azmi. Her brother, Baba Azmi, is a cinematographer and his wife Tanvi, an actress. Indian actresses Farah Naaz and Tabu are her nieces.
  • The young Shabana graduated in Psychology from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and then went on to study acting at the renowned Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.
    The young Shabana graduated in Psychology from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai and then went on to study acting at the renowned Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.
  • Shabana Azmi married poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on December 9, 1984. Ms Azmi is step-mother to actor Farhan and director Zoya, Javed Akhtar's children from his first marriage to scriptwriter Honey Irani.
    Shabana Azmi married poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on December 9, 1984. Ms Azmi is step-mother to actor Farhan and director Zoya, Javed Akhtar's children from his first marriage to scriptwriter Honey Irani.
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  • Shabana Azmi made her Bollywood debut in with Shyam Benegal's acclaimed <i>Ankur</i> in 1974. The film, which is based on a true story, dealt with issues of alcoholism and caste system among others. Ms Azmi's powerful performance as the lower caste Lakshmi earned her a National Film Award for Best Actress.
    Shabana Azmi made her Bollywood debut in with Shyam Benegal's acclaimed Ankur in 1974. The film, which is based on a true story, dealt with issues of alcoholism and caste system among others. Ms Azmi's powerful performance as the lower caste Lakshmi earned her a National Film Award for Best Actress.
  • For years, Ms Azmi dominated the National Awards' Best Actress category, winning laurels for her performances in <i>Swami, Arth, Khandar</i> and </i>Paar</i>. After <i>Arth</i>, a tale of a marriage broken by infidelity and in which she played the abandoned wife, many women came to her to share their sorrow and experience.
    For years, Ms Azmi dominated the National Awards' Best Actress category, winning laurels for her performances in Swami, Arth, Khandar and Paar. After Arth, a tale of a marriage broken by infidelity and in which she played the abandoned wife, many women came to her to share their sorrow and experience.
  • Shabana Azmi is known for her realistic portrayals of her characters. In <i>Mandi</i>, in which she played a brothel madam, she put on weight and chewed betel leaves. She played the role of an urban homemaker in <i>Masoom</i>, whose world falls apart when her husband's lovechild is inserted into her family of four. She was nominated for Filmfare awards for both movies.
    Shabana Azmi is known for her realistic portrayals of her characters. In Mandi, in which she played a brothel madam, she put on weight and chewed betel leaves. She played the role of an urban homemaker in Masoom, whose world falls apart when her husband's lovechild is inserted into her family of four. She was nominated for Filmfare awards for both movies.
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  • Ms Azmi went on to appear as Firdaus in Shyam Benegal's masterpiece <i>Junoon</i> (1978). The film also starred Shashi Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Nafisa Ali and Jennifer Kendal.
    Ms Azmi went on to appear as Firdaus in Shyam Benegal's masterpiece Junoon (1978). The film also starred Shashi Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Nafisa Ali and Jennifer Kendal.
  • In Deepa Mehta's Fire, Shabana Azmi took on a role that few actresses would have been willing to consider - that of lonely middle-class wife who falls in love with her sister-in-law. Her incredible and uninhibited performance as Radha won her the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the 32nd Chicago Film Festival and Jury Award for Best Actress at Outfest, Los Angeles.
    In Deepa Mehta's Fire, Shabana Azmi took on a role that few actresses would have been willing to consider - that of lonely middle-class wife who falls in love with her sister-in-law. Her incredible and uninhibited performance as Radha won her the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the 32nd Chicago Film Festival and Jury Award for Best Actress at Outfest, Los Angeles.
  • <i>Thodisi Bewafai, Avtaar</i> and <i>Sparsh</i> are among her other noted films. She also received the Best Actress award for <i>Libaas</i> in North Korea and in 1994 she received the Best Actress award for Gautam Ghose's <i>Patang</i> at the Taormina Arte Festival in Italy.
    Thodisi Bewafai, Avtaar and Sparsh are among her other noted films. She also received the Best Actress award for Libaas in North Korea and in 1994 she received the Best Actress award for Gautam Ghose's Patang at the Taormina Arte Festival in Italy.
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  • Among the best of her works in the past decade include <i>Makdee, Mrityudand, Morning Raga, 15 Park Avenue, Dus Kahaaniya, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola</i> and other films.
    Among the best of her works in the past decade include Makdee, Mrityudand, Morning Raga, 15 Park Avenue, Dus Kahaaniya, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and other films.
  • One of the highlights in Ms Azmi's illustrious career is Vinay Shukla's 1999 film <i>Godmother</i>. The film is a biographical drama inspired by the life of Santokben Jadeja. Shabana Azmi won a National Award for her performance as mafia kingpin turned politician.
    One of the highlights in Ms Azmi's illustrious career is Vinay Shukla's 1999 film Godmother. The film is a biographical drama inspired by the life of Santokben Jadeja. Shabana Azmi won a National Award for her performance as mafia kingpin turned politician.
  • Shabana Azmi went bald for Deepa Mehta's <i>Water</i>, in which she was to play the role of a Vrindavan widow. However, the film became mired in controversy and was delayed that the actress did not eventually appear in it when it did release.
    Shabana Azmi went bald for Deepa Mehta's Water, in which she was to play the role of a Vrindavan widow. However, the film became mired in controversy and was delayed that the actress did not eventually appear in it when it did release.
  • Shabana Azmi has also featured in Hollywood films such as John Schlesinger's <i>Madame Sousatzka</i> (1988) and Roland Joffe's <i>City of Joy</i> (1992).
    Shabana Azmi has also featured in Hollywood films such as John Schlesinger's Madame Sousatzka (1988) and Roland Joffe's City of Joy (1992).
  • Ms Azmi has also made a great impact on the stage. Her notable performance include M S Sathyu's <i>Safed Kundali</i> (1980) and Feroz Abbas Khan's <i>Tumhari Amrita</i> with actor Farooq Sheikh, which ran for five years.
    Ms Azmi has also made a great impact on the stage. Her notable performance include M S Sathyu's Safed Kundali (1980) and Feroz Abbas Khan's Tumhari Amrita with actor Farooq Sheikh, which ran for five years.
  • Ms Azmi has touched almost every genre of acting. She was also seen on the small-screen in <i>Anupama</i>. She played a cameo role in Anil Kapoor's TV series <i>24</i>.
    Ms Azmi has touched almost every genre of acting. She was also seen on the small-screen in Anupama. She played a cameo role in Anil Kapoor's TV series 24.
  • Ms Azmi is also a committed social activist. She received the Yash Bhartiya Award by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for highlighting women's issues in her work as an actress and activist. She advocated the cause of slum dwellers, displaced Kashmiri Pandit migrants and victims of the earthquake in Latur.
    Ms Azmi is also a committed social activist. She received the Yash Bhartiya Award by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for highlighting women's issues in her work as an actress and activist. She advocated the cause of slum dwellers, displaced Kashmiri Pandit migrants and victims of the earthquake in Latur.
  • Ms Azmi is also a noted AIDS activist. She featured in a small film clip issued by the Government of India depicting an HIV positive child in her arms and saying, "She does not need your rejection, she needs your love". <br><br>In <i>Meghla Aakash</i> she played the role of a doctor treating AIDS patients.
    Ms Azmi is also a noted AIDS activist. She featured in a small film clip issued by the Government of India depicting an HIV positive child in her arms and saying, "She does not need your rejection, she needs your love".

    In Meghla Aakash she played the role of a doctor treating AIDS patients.
  • Shabana Azmi received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1988. In 2006, she was honoured with the Gandhi International Peace Award. She was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund in 1998.
    Shabana Azmi received the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1988. In 2006, she was honoured with the Gandhi International Peace Award. She was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund in 1998.
  • We wish Ms Azmi a very Happy Birthday.
    We wish Ms Azmi a very Happy Birthday.