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Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi

Actor · Born September 18, 1950 (76) · New Delhi, India

Shabana Azmi (born September 18, 1950) is an Indian actress of film, television, and theatre, as well as a women's rights activist and parliamentarian. An alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India of Pune, she debuted in Ankur (1974) and quickly became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and neo-realism. Recognized as being among the most acclaimed actresses of her country, she has received a record of five National Film Awards for Best Actress, six Filmfare Awards, several international accolades, and the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India, and the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India. She is best known for her portrayals of unconventional female characters and many of her films have won praise for depicting progressive ideals.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 18, 1950 (76)
From
New Delhi, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 154 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 46% in 30 days

What are Shabana Azmi's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Morality
22%
Self
22%
Society
19%
Power
5%
Survival
4%
Ideas
3%
Identity11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds13 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 8 · Dark 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 19 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 14 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 10

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 6 of 20 analyzed roles.

Mentor
6 of 20
Shadow
4 of 20
Ally
3 of 20
Hero
3 of 20
Threshold guardian
2 of 20
Trickster
1 of 20
Herald
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
18
Tense
13
Contemplative
11
Hopeful
9
Romantic
8
Other
32

How their films linger

Bittersweet16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Shabana Azmi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Shabana Azmi's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

154 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Awarapan 2(2026)

    as Nafisa Nawaz

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Batwara 1947(2026)

    as Mai

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Dabba Cartel(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as Sheila

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Bun Tikki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Ghoomer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Anina's Grandmother

  • Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani(2023)

    as Jamini Chatterji

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Good Morning Sunshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • What's Love Got to Do with It?(2022)

    as Aisha Khan

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Halo(2022)

    Show 17 episodes · as Margaret Parangosky

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Aisan Daulat Begum

  • Sheer Qorma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Ammi

  • Kaali Khuhi(2020)

    as Satya Maasi

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Aunty Ji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Parvin

  • Next of Kin(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mrs. Shirani

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Kaifinama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • The Black Prince(2017)

    as Rani Jindan

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Wishing Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as The Gypsy Woman

  • Sonata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dolon

  • Signature Move(2017)

    as Parveen

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Neerja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Rama Bhanot

  • Chalk N Duster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Vidya Sawant

  • Capital(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mrs. Kamal

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Jazbaa(2015)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Benegal's New Cinema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • A Decent Arrangement(2011)

    as Preeti

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Reluctant Fundamentalist(2012)

    as Ammi

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola(2013)

    as Chaudhari Devi

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Midnight's Children(2012)

    as Naseem

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Love Breakups Zindagi(2011)

    as Naina's Mother

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • It's a Wonderful Afterlife(2010)

    as Mrs. Sethi

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Sorry Bhai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Gayatri

  • Dus Kahaniyaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Positive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.(2007)

    as Naheed

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Loins of Punjab Presents(2007)

    as Rrita Kapoor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Umrao Jaan(2006)

    as Khanum Jaan

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Banglatown Banquet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Sofia

  • 15 Park Avenue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Prof. Anjali "Anu" Mathur

  • Morning Raga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Swarnalata

  • Tehzeeb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Rukhsana Jamal

  • Makdee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Makdee

  • Devi Ahilya Bai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Meghla Akash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Daughters of This Century (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Kadambini

  • Gaja Gamini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Premchand's Nirmala

  • Hari-Bhari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Ghazala

  • Godmother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Rambhi

  • Side Streets(1998)

    as Mrs. Chandra Bipin Raj

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Bada Din (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Radha

  • Mrityudand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Chandravati

  • Saaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Bansidhar (Bansi) Vrundavan

  • In Custody(1994)

    as Imtiaz Begum

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Son of the Pink Panther(1993)

    as Queen

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Kite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Jitni

  • Immaculate Conception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Samira

  • City of Joy(1992)

    as Kamla H. Pal

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Jhoothi Shaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Krishna

  • Dharavi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kumud

  • Antarnaad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Fateh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Shabana

  • Amba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Amba Bhanupratap Singh

  • Death of a Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Seema

  • Disha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Main Azaad Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Subhashini Saigal

  • Sati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Uma

  • Ek Din Achanak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Neeta Roy

  • Oonch Neech Beech (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Tulsi

  • Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Rakhwala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Bengali Night(1988)

    as Indira Sen

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Madame Sousatzka(1988)

    as Sushila Sen

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Pestonjee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Jeroo

  • Mardon Wali Baat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The Discovery of India (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rangamma

  • Libaas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Seema

  • Susman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Ek Pal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Priyam

  • Nasihat(1986)

    as Sunita

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Genesis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as The woman

  • Anjuman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Anjuman

  • Khamosh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Shabana Azmi

  • Shart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Kiran Dutt

  • Samay Ki Dhaara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Madhvi A. Verma

  • Bhavna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Bhavna Saxena

  • Gangvaa(1984)

    as Jamuna

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Paar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Playback Singer · as Rama

  • Kamla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Sarita Jadhav

  • The Ruins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Jamini

  • Hum Rahe Na Hum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Mohini P. Sahani

  • Lorie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Geeta Malhotra

  • Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Manju

  • Doosri Dulhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Chanda

  • Sweekar Kiya Maine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Gopika Sharma / Gopika K. Shukla

  • Avtaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Mandi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Rukmini Bai

  • Masoom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Indu D. Malhotra

  • Raaste Pyar Ke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Shyama

  • Anokha Bandhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Annapurna (Anu)

  • Arth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Pooja

  • Yeh Nazdeekiyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Shobna

  • Ashanti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Kamini

  • Namkeen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Suraag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Log Kya Kahenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Roma

  • Shama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Ek Hi Bhool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Meenakshi

  • Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Stella

  • Sameera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Jwalamukhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Kiran

  • Hum Paanch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Sundariya

  • Ek Baar Kaho(1980)

    as Aarti Mathur

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Apne Paraye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Sheila

  • Yeh Kaisa Insaf? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Madhu R. Nath

  • Thodisi Bewafaii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Sparsh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Kavita Prasad

  • Lahu Ke Do Rang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Roma

  • Jeena Yahan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Lekha

  • Kaifi Azmi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as (Herself)

  • Amar Deep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Junoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Firdaus (Javed's wife)

  • Devata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Atithee(1978)

    as Leela M. Kumar / Julie

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Khoon Ki Pukaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Kissaa Kursee Kaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Janata

  • Swarg Narak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Geeta

  • Toote Khilone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Parvarish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Shabu

  • The Chess Players (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Khurshid

  • Amar Akbar Anthony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Laxmi

  • Hira Aur Patthar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Gauri

  • Karm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Neelam Kumar

  • Khel Khilari Ka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Rachna

  • Chor Sipahee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Priya

  • Vishwasghaat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Seema

  • Jallian Wala Bagh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Swami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Saudamini

  • Adha Din Adhi Raat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Radha / Babli

  • Kanneshwara Rama(1977)

    as Malli

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shaque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Fakira(1976)

    as Neeta / Geeta

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Kadambari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Chetna

  • Nishant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Sushila

  • Ishk Ishk Ishk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Pammy

  • Parinay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Rekha

  • Ankur: The Seedling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Laxmi

  • Faslah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Asha Premchand

  • Masoom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Munshi Ji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • A Romance in the Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Imaginary Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Masoom: The Next Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • USA v Raj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Pammi Bothra

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 154 titles, 150 of them dated from 1973 to 2026; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

City of Joy (1992)

$15M worldwide

Highest rated

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Midcredits 80th

Most popular right now

Halo (2022)

Film career

19732026

Peak 2016 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 7 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1974Screen debut· Ankur: The Seedling
  • 1974First top-billed film· Ankur: The Seedling
  • 2016Career best· Neerja
  • 2022Career best· Halo

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting154 of 154: 153 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thOther crew1 of 154: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s33 · acting1980s52 · 52 acting · 1 crew1990s18 · acting2000s16 · acting2010s18 · acting2020s13 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 6% of 17 roles
749414

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Shabana Azmi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 29; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 43rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 33 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic7
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Batwara 1947 (2026)

99th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

Midcredits 80th · 75% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Shabana Azmi's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 3 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity6 titles24–45 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Shabana Azmi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Shabana Azmi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shashi Kapoor shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles