Shabana Azmi was born on September 18, 1950, in Hyderabad, India, to renowned poet Kaifi Azmi and stage actress Shaukat Kaifi

She grew up in a family that was deeply involved in the arts, which influenced her early interest in acting and literature

She pursued her education at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai and later at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, where she honed her acting skills

Shabana Azmi made her acting debut in 1974 with the film Ankur

It was her powerful performance in Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' that garnered widespread recognition and marked the beginning of her successful film career

She soon became associated with the parallel cinema movement in India and worked in critically acclaimed films like 'Nishant,' 'Manthan,' and 'Bhumika'

Shabana Azmi's acting prowess and versatility were evident in her ability to portray a wide range of characters

She has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including several National Film Awards for Best Actress

Notable films in her career include 'Arth,' 'Mandi,' 'Masoom,' and 'Fire'

In 1984, Shabana Azmi married renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar

Shaban Azmi is a step-mother of Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar

In addition to her acting career, Shabana Azmi has been actively involved in social and political causes

She is known for her advocacy for women's rights, child rights, and education

She has been associated with organizations which work for the empowerment of rural India

Shabana Azmi's talent and dedication to her craft have earned her recognition on the international stage

She has appeared in international films and received accolades at film festivals worldwide

Her performance in the British film 'Madame Sousatzka' earned her a BAFTA nomination

Shabana Azmi shook the internet with the sensational kiss with Dharmendra in her recent release ‘Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani’

Over the years, Shabana Azmi continued to work in both mainstream and parallel cinema, television, and theatre. She has collaborated with many renowned filmmakers and actors and continued to deliver memorable performances