MUMBAI: Veteran actor Shabana Azmi is currently having a birthday party to observe her 76th birthday today, September 18, 2026, with top-notch performances in parallel cinema to mainstream films. She is still remembered for her early recognition in her debut film, Ankur, for which she won the National Film Award, Best Actress.
Born on September 18, 1950, to renowned poet Kaifi Azmi and theatre personality Shaukat Azmi, Shabana grew up in an environment surrounded by literature, poetry and theatre. She later studied acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where she earned a gold medal before making her screen debut.
A debut that brought national recognition
Shabana Azmi made her film debut in 1974 with Shyam Benegal’s Ankur, portraying the character of Lakshmi. The film marked the beginning of a significant acting career and earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Receiving the country’s major acting honour for her debut performance made her entry into Indian cinema particularly noteworthy and established her as an actor capable of carrying challenging and performance-driven roles.
Three consecutive National Awards
Following Ankur, Azmi continued to deliver critically recognised performances. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for three consecutive years, for Arth, Khandhar and Paar, with the awards coming in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively.
Her National Award-winning performances across different films and characters became an important part of her legacy. She later won the Best Actress National Film Award once again for ** Godmother in 1999**, taking her total number of Best Actress National Film Awards to five.
A prominent face of parallel cinema
Shabana Azmi became closely associated with India’s parallel cinema movement, appearing in films where narrative, social themes and character-driven performances took precedence over conventional glamour.
Her work in films such as Ankur, Arth, Khandhar, Paar and Mandi showcased her range as a performer. At the same time, she did not restrict herself to one particular genre and also appeared in mainstream Hindi cinema, allowing her work to reach audiences across generations.
Marriage to Javed Akhtar
In her personal life, Shabana Azmi married renowned writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar in 1984. Both have established long-standing careers in their respective creative fields, while Azmi’s own professional identity has been shaped by her acting work and association with Indian cinema and theatre.
Beyond cinema: engagement with social issues
Azmi’s public life has also extended beyond acting. She has been associated with social causes concerning women’s rights, people living in slum communities and AIDS awareness, among other issues.
She also served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003, during which she participated in discussions concerning social issues and public affairs.
Public engagement in 2026
In July 2026, Azmi also attracted attention for her participation in a student demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. According to the report, she met students at the protest site on July 19 and subsequently joined the Chalo Sansad march the following day.
During her interaction with the students, she spoke about the right to peacefully express one’s views and stated that she did not have an association with any political party. She also commented on police action during the demonstrations, including claims regarding the use of tear gas and lathi-charge. These were statements attributed to Azmi in the reported interview.
A career that continues at 76
More than five decades after Ankur, Shabana Azmi continues to remain active in Indian cinema. Her filmography spans parallel cinema, mainstream productions and contemporary films, including her appearance in ** Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani**
From receiving a National Film Award for her debut to winning the Best Actress honour three consecutive times and eventually collecting five National Film Awards in the category, Azmi’s career represents a sustained presence across different phases of Indian cinema.
As she turns 76, her journey continues to encompass acting, public engagement and social causes, keeping her connected with both the film industry and wider public discourse.
