Shabana Azmi is an actress of film, television and theatre. She made her film debut in 1974 and soon became one of the leading actresses of Parallel Cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and neo-realism. Regarded as one of the finest actresses in India, Azmi’s performances in films in a variety of genres have generally earned her praise and awards, which include a record of five wins of the National Film Award for Best Actress and several national and international honours. Azmi has appeared in over 120 Hindi films in both mainstream and independent cinema. In addition to acting, Azmi is a social and women’s rights activist, active in supporting child survival and fighting AIDS and injustice in real life. A Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), and a member of the Rajya Sabha. She is proud daughter of poet Kaifi Azmi and wife of Javed Akhtar.
