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Shabana Azmi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth18 September 1950

Age74 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceHyderabad, India

ProfessionActress, Social Activist

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseJaved Akhtar (m. 1984-present)

FamilyFather - Kaifi Azmi; Mother - Shaukat Azmi; Brother - Baba Azmi

Shabana Azmi Biography

Shabana Azmi is an acclaimed Indian actress and social activist whose career spans film, theatre and public service. Born in Hyderabad in 1950 into a well‑

Early life and background

Shabana Kaifi Azmi was born on 18 September 1950 in Hyderabad, India. She grew up in a family with strong ties to the arts: her father, Kaifi Azmi, was a noted poet and her mother, Shaukat Azmi, worked as a stage actress. She attended Queen Mary School in Mumbai and went on to St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, where she completed a degree in psychology.

Career

Azmi made her film debut in 1974 with Ankur and went on to build a distinguished career in Indian cinema and theatre. Over the decades she has appeared in more than 100 films and has been recognised repeatedly for her performances, earning five National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. Her work has spanned mainstream and parallel cinema, and she has continued to take on supporting and character roles later in her career.

In 2024 she received renewed industry recognition for her supporting work: she won the Best Supporting Actress trophy at the 69th Filmfare Awards for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and that same year she also won the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress for the same film.

Public profile

Beyond acting, Azmi is well known for her social activism. She has supported causes including slum dwellers, displaced Kashmiri Pandit migrants and earthquake relief efforts in Latur, Maharashtra. In 1989 she participated in a four‑day march for communal harmony from New Delhi to Meerut. Her public life has also included moments that attracted attention and debate, such as scenes and choices in films that provoked controversy in their time.

Personal life

Azmi is married to writer Javed Akhtar; the pair have been married since 1984. She is part of a family active in the film industry: her brother Baba Azmi is a cinematographer, and actresses Tabu and Farah Naaz are members of the extended family. Azmi’s listed hobbies include travelling, listening to music, watching films and reading.

Honours and other activities

In recognition of her contributions to the arts she was awarded an honorary doctorate in art by Leeds Metropolitan University in Yorkshire. Over a long public life she has balanced her artistic commitments with ongoing advocacy on social issues, maintaining a profile as both performer and campaigner.

Latest updates

In January 2024 Azmi was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the 69th Filmfare Awards for her role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She also won the IIFA Award for Supporting Actor (Female) for the same film in 2024.
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Recent Work

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Supporting role that earned her Best Supporting Actress at the 69th Filmfare Awards and the IIFA Award for Supporting Actor (Female) in 2024.

2023/2024
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut film Ankur (1974)
  2. Appeared in more than 100 films
  3. Five National Film Awards
  4. Four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress
  5. Honorary Doctorate in Art from Leeds Metropolitan University
  6. Winner: Best Supporting Actress, 69th Filmfare Awards (2024)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Shabana Azmi born?

18 September 1950

What is Shabana Azmi known for?

Actress, Social Activist

What is Shabana Azmi’s marital status?

Married

Who is Shabana Azmi married to?

Javed Akhtar (m. 1984-present)