Shabana Azmi’s Legacy: A Record-Breaking National Film Award Winner

The Indian film industry presents various films, recognized through awards, with the National Film Awards holding a prominent position. Shabana Azmi stands out as an actress who won the National Film Award for her debut film and went on to become the actress with the most National Film Awards. These awards acknowledge the efforts of actors, filmmakers, and others in the industry. The 71st National Film Awards recently recognized achievements from 2023. Shabana Azmi’s career began with the film ‘Ankur’ in 1974. Directed by Shyam Benegal, the film featured Azmi in the role of a Dalit woman, earning her a National Award in 1975. She added to her achievements with awards for ‘Arth’ (1982) and ‘Khandhar’ (1984). Azmi’s fourth National Award was for her role in ‘Paar,’ which addressed themes of poverty and exploitation. Her fifth award was for the film ‘Godmother’ (1999), based on the life of the gangster Santokben Jadeja of Porbandar, Gujarat.