New Delhi: Shabana Azmi is a veteran and acclaimed actor known for her contribution in theatre, film and TV industry. She has worked in over 160 films and is quite prominently associated with being the face of neorealist parallel cinema movement in Hindi cinema which began in the 70s. As the National Film Awar winner turns a year older today, on Sep 18, 2024, here is a look at her top five films and roles that have left an everlasting impression on her fans and audiences. 


Top five Shabana Azmi roled one cannot not know about:


Ankur (1974)


'Ankur' was Shyam Benegal's directorial debut. This art-house film was based on a true story that happened in Hyderabad at the time. Azmi played the role of Laksmi, a villager and married servant who has an affair with a college student who visits the countryside.


 Acclaimed writer-journalist Qurratulain Hyder had praised Azmi's performance in 'Ankur', saying that she looked no less than a seasoned dramatic actress in her first film.


The film earned massive applause from critics, getting her her first National Film Award for Best Actress. 


Arth (1982)


Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, this romantic-triangle starred Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Smita Patil. Azmi's portrayl of Kavita Sanyal, a woman dealing with her husband's infidelity and her quest for self-realization and autonomy made Azmi's performance as a coming-of-age married woman, a delight to watch.


Shabana Azmi also won a National Award for ‘Arth’.


Masoom( 1983)


This Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Jugal Hansraj starrer film 'Masoom' is another critics favourite film in which Azmi plays the role of Indu, DK( Shah)'s understanding wife. When DK's illegitimate son, Rahul, portrayed by Jugal Hansraj, enters their lives unexpectedly, how Indu navigates through the challenges of accepting Rahul into their family while dealing with her own emotions, is a performance many fans remember Shabana Azmi for. 


Fire (1996)


This controversial film directed by Deepa Mehta starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das in the lead changed Azmi's career. It brought her international recognition but also a lot of hatred back home. In the film, Azmi depicted a lonely woman, Radha, who is in love with her sister-in-law.


Her role as Radha brought her the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the 32nd Chicago Film Festival and Jury Award for Best Actress at Outfest, Los Angeles. However, 'Fire' was panned in India.


Godmother( 1999)


Directed by Vinay Shukla, 'Godmother' is a triubute to Shabana Azmi's outstanding acting chops. Azmi received a lot of appreciation for her role in the film. The film is a story about the underworld of rural India, and tracing Rambhi's hourney, as she navigates through a predominantly male criminal landscape. 


Mirch Masala (1987)


Directed by Ketan Mehta in 1987, Shabana Azmi starred alongside Nazeeruddin Shah in the film. In 'Mirch Masala', Azmi played the role of Sonbai, a woman who leads the village resistence against a corrupt tax collector played by Naseeruddin Shah. 


Her portrayal of a resilient woman who defies all odds and societal contrainsts make 'Mirch Masala'  ashining example of a film of empowerment and solidarity.