An artist who conveys his/her craft through eyes is the one who needs no rehearsals. This conviction fits perfectly with an actress who flawlessly draws her art through her eloquent eyes. Here, I am talking about none other than a world-class actress Shabana Azmi. An actress who proves to be the queen of parallel as well as mainstream Cinema. The tact and serenity she flaunts through her quintessential portrayals are beyond any comparison. Well, not to hide, she is as fabulous in real life as in the reel.
Shabana Kaifi Azmi – A Born Artist
Born in the year 1950, Shabana Azmi’s full name is Shabana Kaifi Azmi. Her middle name appears to be his father’s name i.e. Kaifi Azmi who is a notable poet. Shabana’s mother was a stage actor, who primarily performed in the era of IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association). Her brother Baba Azmi is a cinematographer. Thus, acting and adroitness seem to be in the gene of Shabana Azmi. When she grew up, she learned acting from the very famous FTII and later made her debut in Shyam Bengal’s first movie Ankur. However, after graduation in the year 1973, she signed a movie named Faasla and commenced working on another movie named Parinay yet her first release was Ankur. This movie got a lot of appreciation and has won several recognitions including 3 National awards.
Marrying the legendary Writer Javed Akhtar
Like his father Kaifi Azmi, Shabana chose her life partner the admirable poet, lyricist, and great screen Writer, Javed Akhtar. But contrary to her love and admiration, Shabana’s father was against their marriage looking at the fact that Mr. Javed was a married man having two children (Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar). Yet her love won and she flourishingly got married to Javed Akhtar on 9th December 1984.
Special Heed – Apart from being a sister to the cinematographer Baba Azmi, step-mother to excellent young age directors, Shabana Azmi is also an aunt to actress Farah Naaz and Tabu. Tabu and Farah are her nieces, also, the very talented Tanvi Azmi is her sister-in-law.
Azmi’s Breakthrough Career
As earlier mentioned, Shabana Azmi’s debut movie Ankur characterizes as one of the cult movies. For this movie, she has also won a National award. Post this, Shabana went on to win National awards consistently for 3 years. She persistently won National awards from 1983 to 1985. She got this peculiar acknowledgment for the movie Arth, Kandhar, and Paar respectively. Incredibly, Azmi went on to win National award one more time in the year 1999 for the movie Godfather. Thus, it makes her 5 times National awards winner. She successfully played some extra-ordinary depictions in movies like Nishant, Mandi, Susma, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Ek din Achanak and many more.
5 Celluloid performances of Shabana Azmi
To be recognized as one of the most successful actresses in Hindi commercial cinema is an easy task. But to perceive as both commercial and artistic cinema is a tough one. Shabana is one such actress who has met both these factors with ease. Here’s presenting some of the finest portraitures of this prodigious actress.
Sparsh
This 1980 classic movie is literally a beautiful story of a principal and a teacher who are visually-impaired. In this movie, she acted opposite Naseeruddin Shah. This movie is an innocent tale of two souls who fight all the odds to feel the touch of their love. The ethereal bond of two individuals was exceptionally shown in this movie and hence; resulting in Mrs. Azmi’s one of the best performances.
Fire
Fire being one of the most controversial characters of Shabana Azmi is undoubtedly one of her remarkable performances. In this contentious movie, Shabana plays the character of a homosexual who explores her sexuality after marriage and falls into an affair with the wife of her brother-in-law. Playing such a character in the year 1996 was neither convenient nor praised back then, yet she portrayed this character fighting all the complexes.
Masoom
In the movie Masoom, she sophistically played the character of a woman who had to face betrayal. Forgiveness and acceptance of women and how they can pull through any border for the sake of love is what this movie teaches. She effortlessly depicts the character of a woman who is engulfed in the anxiousness of her family.
15 Park Avenue
The torment of a sister in adherence to taking care of her schizophrenic sister is excellently performed by Shabana. In this sensitive movie, Azmi is a delight to watch in every frame, with her subtle acting and striking chemistry with Konkana Sen Sharma; this movie is certainly the most splendid performance of her.
Makdee
Remember “Chil ka rash h chunni”? If you are a 90s kid then for sure you will reminiscence about this dialogue. The ghastly character of an evil witch is terrifically performed by this perfectionist. The way she laughs and frightened kids are equally hideous and brilliant. The illustration of this devil portrayal once again proved that Mrs. Azmi is just flawless in whatever she does.
The chain of her brilliant impersonation is endless. Also, she is simply an ideal combination of beauty and art. Shabana Azmi is also a social activist endowing several welfare things. She has raised her voice in numerous issues that have earned her a lot of appreciation as well as criticism. Howbeit, Shabana’s acting and excellent contribution to Cinema is always applauded with all the love and gratitude.
Further, you may like reading An Appreciation note to Ayushmann Khurana
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Persistent with dreams and passionate about inscriptions. Gayetri is hysterically involved in writing, She treasures life and seeks to find beauty in whatever she is surrounded with. Celebrates Cinema, family, friends, and traveling!