Biography of Shabana Azmi

(September 18, 1950)

Shabana Azmi was born in 1950 and is the daughter of the famous poet Kaifi Azmi and celebrated I.P.T.A. actress Shaukat. She did an acting course from ET.I.I. in 1972 and debuted in the film 'Faasla'.

She has been one of the vanguards of Indian parallel Cinema, along with the Late Smita Patil. She has worked with renowned directors like Satyajit Ray and has acted in films like ‘Shatranj ke Khiladi', 'Kandhar', 'Genesis', ‘Ik Din Achanak’, ‘Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai', and ‘Arth’.

Not limiting herself to only a particular genre of films, she worked in and became a major mainstream Hindi star after working in films like 'Fakira', Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Parvarish' and ‘Jwalamukhi'. Her acting style was naturalist, imbibing the technique of alternating the casual gesture and dramatic high points.

She has also acted on stage and in television dramas. She is married to the renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar.