By Kashvi Raj Singh,News18,Sahas Mahapatra
Copyright news18
Bollywood has blessed audiences with iconic films, timeless music, and legendary stars. From weaving real-life scenarios into movie plots to delivering pure entertainment, the industry has rarely let viewers down. Actresses like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Sridevi, and many more have left an unforgettable mark, and their legacy continues to inspire generations.
In addition to this, the Hindi film industry is also filled with inspiring examples from people coming from not-so-well-off financial backgrounds. But the special place they have etched in the minds of movie buffs is undeniable. Here, we will look at the journey of one such actress who had a humble beginning.
Who Is The Now-Eminent Actress Who Once Sold Coffee At A Petrol Pump?
The actress in question is none other than Shabana Azmi, celebrated today as one of India’s finest dramatic performers.
Born in 1950 in Hyderabad to legendary poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi and veteran stage actress Shaukat Azmi, she grew up surrounded by art and culture. Her brother, Baba Azmi, went on to become a cinematographer, while his wife, Tanvi Azmi, also made her mark as an actress.
From an early age, Shabana was drawn to the world of theatre and cinema, often accompanying her mother to Prithvi Theatre, where she absorbed the magic of performance. But beyond her artistic inclinations, she also valued self-reliance.
Before stepping into college life, a young Shabana Azmi worked for three months at a petrol pump, where she sold coffee for ₹30 a day.
Shabana Azmi’s Years-Long Career At A Glance
While pursuing her graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, the actress had started a Hindi theatre group with her senior, Farooq Sheikh. Together, they won several awards in inter-college drama competitions.
Following this, she joined the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune to fulfil her dreams of acting. During her final year at FTII, Azmi was offered Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ Faslah (1974) and Kanti Lal Rathore’s Parinay (1974). But with the turn of events, Shyam Benegal’s Ankur (1974) became her debut film.
During her master’s, the then-budding actress was also awarded the gold medal for the Best Student in Acting. Since then, she has been part of more than one hundred Hindi films, both in mainstream cinema and parallel cinema, as well as many short films, international projects and television shows.
Shabana Azmi’s List Of Accolades
The highly acclaimed actress has some notable associations and honours in her list. Besides receiving the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, she has won five national awards for her performances in films, including her debut movie, Ankur (1975), followed by Arth (1983), Khandhar (1984), Paar (1985) and Godmother (1999).
Additionally, she bagged the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival for Fire (1996), among many other international awards. She also has numerous Filmfare Awards in her list, with the latest one for the 2024 film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, co-starring Dharmendra, Jaya Bhaduri, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh, among others.
