Legends
The Multifarious Contributor to Indian Society – Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi
Her realistic portrayal of the character on screen has earned her the credit of being one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema. Known for her immense contribution as an actress in Parallel cinema, Shabana Azmi today is also a well known social activist. Her terrific performance on the screen has credited her with five National awards and International recognition.
Born on 18th September, 1950, to the renowned Indian poet Kaifi Azmi and to the veteran stage actress Shaukat Azmi, the actress entered the film industry with Shyam Benegal’s directorial debut Ankur in the year 1970. Her outstanding performance in the movie was critically acclaimed and she won the prestigious National film Award for best actress category and that showed her further way of success and fame in the Indian film industry. This was just the beginning as the history speaks that the actress went on to win five National awards in the upcoming years. Arth (1982), Khandhar (1984), Paar (1984), Godmother (1999) are the other four movies which are remembered for Azmi’s award winning performances.
Her natural depiction of the roles played in movies like Mandi (1983), Masoom (1983), Deepa Mehta’s Fire (1996) staged the actress as one the greatest of her time. The movie Fire added, Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the 32nd Chicago Film Festival and Jury Award for Best Actress at Outfest, Los Angeles, to her long list of awards and recognition given to the actress. Her other commercially successful movies include Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Parvarish (1977), Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), and many more.
The versatile actress surprised the audience with her role in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Makdee (2002) where she played the role of a witch for which she was much appreciated and loved by the viewers.
A passionate actress, she is actively involved in theatre and has enacted on international stage. She made her debut in the world of television from the serial Anupama. She appeared in another serial naming 24 where she shared the small screen with the actor Anil Kapoor. She played the role of an officer. Along with Hindi cinema Azmi is a big name in the Bengali film industry. In fact movies like Madame Sousatzka (1988), City of Joy (1992), Son of the Pink Panther (1993) are some of her international projects.
Apart from her contribution in the films, Azmi is a popular name in the world of social activism in India. She has campaigned for variety of issues mainly fighting for the discrimination against AIDS victims and child survival. She is a staunch feminist fighting for women’s rights in India. She is also the Goodwill Ambassador of United Nations Population Fund, making people aware of the concept of contraception and abortion in India.
A rebel from within, Azmi married the lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar who was already the father of two children, Farhaan Akhtar who is a Bollywood actor and Zoya Akhtar who has earned her fame as a movie director in Bollywood, in spite of her parents objecting her decision. Her role in real and reel life continues to serve as an inspiration for many women. On behalf of her fans, Songpedia wishes her a very healthy birthday and we hope to see her more and more unforgettable contribution as a great actress as well as a great human being.
Few lovely song from her movies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdTHIPFW3sA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9mwL6OnnTI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBsol1aeZU
