Eight films of Shabana Azmi that show her unparalleled versatility

Ankur (1974)

'Ankur' marked the inception of two legends; Shyam Benegal and Shabana Azmi. 'Ankur' is an ever-relevant tale of exploitation and aggression; Azmi (who plays the wife of a mute and deaf potter) delivered a resonant performance. Both Azmi and Benegal went on to give us many more masterpieces in future.

Masoom (1983)

'Masoom' is all about a woman whose world is shaken upside down with her husband's infidelity, a man who is torn between responsibilities and a little boy who longs for little love and a family. This heart-warming story which shows the magical transformations of humane inspirations, was way ahead of its time. Azmi who was subtle as ever, garnered praise from all corners.

Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977)

Azmi's performance as a neglected wife of a nawab who is addicted to playing chess was terrific. 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' by Satyajit Ray was a fine metaphor which drew how the Nawabs did not try their least to resist the East India Company from taking over the diplomatic, political and administrative powers in undivided India.

Fire (1996)

In Deepa Mehta's 'Fire' , Azmi did something she never tried her hands on before. She played a homosexual woman; a lonely woman, deserted by her husband and his company, who finds colours of her emotional and sexual interests in her own brother-in-law's wife, who was also as lonely as she is. Given how we've made the issue of homosexuality a socially forbidden one, this film brought about huge talks on the same.

Makdee (2002)

'Makdee' featured Azmi as a witch who stayed in a lonely mansion and allegedly turned human beings into animals. We undoubtedly state, not many would have pulled off such a character as brilliantly as she did. Her hideous avatar was as scary as it could get!

15 Park Avenue (2005)

'15 Park Avenue' directed by Aparna Sen had Konkona Sensharma playing a schizophrenic. Azmi, who played her sister, was pained yet calm in the film and won all our hearts.

Arth (982)

In this Mahesh Bhatt directorial, Shabana Azmi essayed an orphan girl, who deprived of a 'home', always dreamt of her own home. With sly twists of destiny, she and her husband have to leave their apartment. To much of her dismay, she then dicovers her husband to be in love with another woman. Shabana won both the Filmfare Awrd for Best Actress and the National Award for Best Actress for this film.

Neerja (2016)

Ram Madhavani's 'Neerja', a biopic on brave air-hostess Neerja Bhanot who gave away her life to save 300 off passengers in a hijacked Pan AM flight, won every heart. While the film remains Sonam Kapoor's best performance so far, it was Shabana Azmi who rightly complemented the story. Her moving performance as Neerja's mother left almost nobody with dry eyes. Eventually, she won the Filmfare Award in Side Actress category.