Meet the actress who once earned Rs 30 selling coffee and is now worth Rs 200 crore with five National Awards to her name

Born on 18 September 1950 in Hyderabad, Shabana Azmi hails from a family deeply rooted in art and literature. Her father, Kaifi Azmi, was a celebrated poet and songwriter, while her mother, Shaukat Azmi, was a renowned stage actress. Growing up in such a creative environment, Shabana was naturally drawn to performance and expression, which later shaped her journey into cinema. Over the years, she became one of India’s most respected and versatile actresses, known for portraying complex and unconventional female characters in both parallel and mainstream films.

Shabana Azmi is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where she honed her craft and developed her distinct acting style. During her struggling years, she once took part in a charity drive organized by her acting institute, where she sold coffee at a petrol pump and earned Rs 30 as her first salary. This small yet meaningful experience gave her a firsthand understanding of ordinary life, deepening her empathy for common people, a quality that would later become central to her acting and activism.

Azmi made her debut in Shyam Benegal’s ‘Ankur’ in 1974, a film that instantly established her as a powerhouse performer. Her portrayal earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress for her very first film. She went on to create history by winning the Best Actress National Award for three consecutive years—from 1982 to 1984—for her outstanding performances in ‘Arth’, ‘Khandhar’, and ‘Paar’. Later, in 1999, she received her fifth National Award for ‘Godmother’, a record unmatched by any other Indian actor, male or female.

In a career spanning over five decades, Shabana Azmi has acted in more than 150 films across different languages and genres. Known for her dedication to realism, she has balanced arthouse cinema with impactful roles in mainstream films. Beyond acting, she is a prominent voice for women’s rights, social justice, and equality. Her advocacy work often intersects with her art, making her not just a cinematic icon but also a respected public figure who uses her platform to drive change.

In 1984, Shabana married veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who was earlier married to actress and writer Honey Irani. Javed and Honey share two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, both of whom share close bonds with Shabana. The couple chose not to have children together and have built a life centered around art, culture, and activism. According to DNA, as per several media reports, their combined net worth is estimated to be around ₹200 crore, reflecting their long-standing influence and success in the Indian entertainment industry.