Do you know Shabana Azmi has a record for winning the National Award consecutively five times as Best Actress? Yes! And her legendary legacy is a dream for many of today’s actresses. At the age of 74, she is still working as a social activist & a renowned heroine. Let’s pay tribute to the Godmother and revisit her top 5 films to enjoy!!
1. Ankur (1974)
In this film, Azmi has played the role of a young Dalit woman, Lakshmi, who marries a deaf and mute man. When their landlord’s son, Surya, comes back to the village, he gets tangled up in her chores in an indomitable relationship. The film’s main backdrop is the society’s caste system, power, and dominance of the rich over the lower communities. This is her debut film, and she killed her portrayal as a vulnerable yet strong character. Streaming Partner: Amazon Prime, YouTube
IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% My Rating: 5/5
2. Arth (1982)
Shabana’s character as Pooja in this movie is a real gem. When she discovers that her husband is having an affair with popular actress Kavitha, her world collapses. She slowly takes steps towards discovering her true needs and reclaiming her identity. Her acting as a soft yet challenging woman gained a lot of critical acclaim, landing her a National award and loads of popularity as the next superstar of the old Bollywood. Streaming Partner: Prime Video
IMDb: 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 87% My Rating: 4.5/5
3. Masoom (1983)
Indu was a good wife and mother until then. Her husband brings an illegitimate son home from an extramarital affair. Azmi’s portrayal as a struggling wife juggling ethics and loyalty to motherhood. She was resentful, but her husband’s happiness pushed her to stop chasing the mixed feelings and give a heartfelt approval and acceptance. This film has a good life lesson and excellent play of emotions, so do try. Streaming Partner: Prime Video, YouTube
IMDb: 8.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 94% My Rating: 4.3/5
4. Godmother (1999)
In today’s terms, this Godmother film is a mixed vibe of The Godfather and Gangubai Kathiawadi. The story revolves around “Rambhi”, her transformation from grieving as a Mafia Boss’s wife to becoming an indestructible leader. This movie, too, has scored the prestigious national award for her powerhouse performance and presence, while controlling the syndicate in the rage of power, corruption, and maybe a second chance. Streaming Partner: JioHotstar, YouTube
IMDb: 6.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 80% My Rating: 4.4/5
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5. Neerja (2016)
This is not only Sonam Kapoor’s best performance but Shabana’s as well. Her character as the proud mother of flight attendant Neerja is a marvellous casting choice. When her daughter sacrifices her life on duty. She providentially accepts that as her pride, which is a bigger achievement than the grievance of death. The film’s backdrop and plot are very good, watch this as Azmi is back on the screen long time, regaining her power. Streaming Partner: JioHotstar, YouTube
IMDb: 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% My Rating: 5/5
Conclusion
Shabana Azmi is one of the rare & grand Bollywood heroines who still have their strong reign continuing in the industry. Her beauty at this age is a marvellous example of how real beauty never tarnishes like a diamond. So, do see the films and immerse yourself in them!
Written by – Meghana Pinninti