"It’s my pleasure and I am humbled and delighted about it. It feels good," Azmi told IANS.
The commercial and mainstream actress, daughter of late writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, and wife of the talented wordsmith Javed Akhtar, is also a noted theatre person.
She has proved her versatility time and again through films "Ankur", "Nishant", "Arth", "Masoom", "Godmother" and "Fire" as well as in movies like "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", "Sorry Bhai!" and "It’s A Wonderful Afterlife" in her over three-decade career.
Some of her international projects have included John Schlesinger’s "Madame Sousatzka", Nicholas Klotz’s "Bengali Night", Roland Joffe’s "City of Joy", Blake Edwards’ "Son of the Pink Panther".
The five-time National Award winning actress is currently working on Mira Nair’s "The Reluctant Fundamentalist", which is under production. Incidentally, Mira Nair also has been named for Padma Bhushan honour this year.
Despite her busy shooting schedules, Shabana keeps herself immersed in social causes, and has spoken for women rights on many occasions. She also runs an NGO, Mijwan Welfare Society, which works for the education and upliftment of the underprivileged.
