Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress who has worked in film, television, and theater. Her Hindi film career includes more than 160 features, many in independent and neorealist parallel cinema, along with mainstream and international projects. Born in 1950 to a poet father and a stage actress mother, she trained at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She debuted on screen in Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974), which earned her the first of five National Film Awards for Best Actress, and quickly became a leading figure of parallel cinema. She became known for unconventional female characters across genres. Her notable films include Arth, Mandi, Masoom, Madame Sousatzka (1988), City of Joy (1992), and Fire (1997), the last earning her the Silver Hugo at the Chicago Film Festival and a Jury Award at Outfest. She won a record five National Film Awards for Best Actress, five Filmfare Awards, and roles in TV and theater, including Tumhari Amrita.