From Selling Coffee at a Petrol Pump to Five National Awards; Shabana Azmi’s Extraordinary Journey

Today marks the birthday of Shabana Azmi, one of India’s most powerful and respected actresses. Her story is more than just about acting, it is about courage, self-reliance, and breaking barriers. From a young girl working at a petrol pump to a five-time National Award-winning star, Shabana’s journey is inspiring for anyone who dreams big.

Shabana Azmi’s Childhood Surrounded by Art and Literature

Shabana Azmi was born on September 18, 1950, in Hyderabad. She grew up in a home filled with poetry, theater, and culture. Her father was the legendary poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi, and her mother, Shaukat Azmi, was a well-known stage actress. 

Her brother, Baba Azmi, later became a cinematographer, and his wife, Tanvi Azmi, also made her name as an actress. From childhood, Shabana spent time at Prithvi Theatre with her mother, soaking in the magic of performances.

But she also believed in standing on her own feet. Before joining college, Shabana worked for three months at a petrol pump, selling coffee for ₹30 a day. She never wanted to depend on her parents for money.

Shabana Azmi’s Theater Journey 

While studying at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, Shabana started a Hindi theater group with her senior, Farooq Sheikh. The group won several awards in inter-college drama competitions. Later, she joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune to train as an actor. During her final year at FTII, she was offered roles in Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ Faslah (1974) and Kanti Lal Rathore’s Parinay (1974).

However, destiny had other plans. Shyam Benegal’s Ankur (1974) became her first released film. In it, she played a pregnant maid, a role so powerful that it won her first National Award. During her master’s at FTII, Shabana was also awarded the gold medal for Best Student in Acting, proof that her talent was impossible to ignore.

Shabana Azmi’s Powerful Characters

Over the years, Shabana Azmi acted in more than one hundred Hindi films, balancing mainstream and parallel cinema with equal brilliance. She shone in films like Arth (1983), Khandhar (1984), Paar (1985), and Godmother (1999). These roles stood out for their intensity and for bringing women’s issues to the forefront. Her international work also won her recognition, including the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival for Fire (1996).

Her list of honors is long. She has received five National Awards and many Filmfare Awards, including the latest one for the 2024 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The Government of India has also awarded her the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Shabana Azmi’s Personal Life

In 1984, Shabana married celebrated poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar after his divorce from his first wife. Their relationship is admired for its deep bond and maturity. Although Shabana never became a mother, she never let it define or limit her.

Life wasn’t always easy. Her mother’s autobiography revealed that Shabana tried to end her life twice as a child. But each time, she found the courage to rise again. This resilience became a key part of who she is today.