Guide Note:

Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress who has appeared in many Bollywood as well as Indian independent films. She is known equally for her talent as an actress and as a strong activist for social change.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: September 18, 1950
2. Debut Film: Parinay
3. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: 2005
4. National Film Awards: 5
5. Padma Shri Award: 1988
6. Father: Kaifi Azmi
7. Spouse: Javed Akhtar
8. Attended Film and Television Institute of India

Shabana Azmi is an Indian actress and activist who has appeared in many films and has championed the fight against AIDS and injustice.

She has reached international audiences in a number of her films, and one of her most controversial and well known performances is perhaps in Deepa Metha's Fire, in which she plays a married woman who has a lesbian affair.

She is married to famed poet Javed Akhtar, and she is the daughter of well known poet Kaifi Azmi. In 2009 she is set to appear as Benazir Bhutto in Mahesh Bhatt's biopic on the late politician.