Shabana Azmi honoured with Excellence in Cinema Award at MAMI Film Festival 2024, presented by Waheeda Rehman

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi took to Instagram to express her gratitude to the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival for honouring her with the prestigious Excellence in Cinema Award. In her post, she wrote, “Thank you to @MAMI Mumbai Film Festival for presenting me with the Excellence in Cinema Award made all the more special because the wonderful #Waheeda Rehman handed it to me. Thank you also to @zoieakhtar @tigerbabyofficial team and #Namrata Goyal for all the hard work they put in. Missed you #Shyam Benegal.”

The award was presented by none other than the legendary Waheeda Rehman, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, at the 2024 Mumbai International Film Festival. Shabana and Waheeda have shared the screen in four films: Aparna Sen’s 15 Park Avenue (2005), Prakash Mehra’s Jwalamukhi (1980), Gulzar’s Namkeen (1982), and Ram Kelkar’s Pyaasi Aankhein (1983).

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Festival Director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur expressed MAMI’s honour in recognizing Shabana’s immense contribution to cinema. In a press note, he remarked, “It is a privilege for MAMI to honour Shabana Azmi, an iconic actor, with the Excellence in Cinema Award this year.

He highlighted her versatility and profound impact over 50 years, beginning with her award-winning debut in Ankur (1974), stating, “Her remarkable versatility and extraordinary body of work…has enriched the fabric of Indian cinema with some of the most memorable women characters. MAMI had the distinct pleasure of honouring her in 1999 for her contributions over 25 years, and we are fortunate to continue witnessing her work as we celebrate her golden jubilee.”

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In conjunction with the award, Shabana is scheduled for a masterclass on October 19, where she will engage in conversation with actor Vidya Balan. The session will delve into her five-decade-long journey and the experiences that shaped her iconic career. Additionally, the festival is screening Arth, one of Shabana’s most memorable films, for which she won her second National Award for Best Actress. Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, Arth remains a landmark in Indian cinema.

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Recently, Shabana Azmi celebrated 50 years in the industry, and her excellence continues to be recognized. She was honoured with the IIFA and Filmfare awards for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.