As Shabana Azmi celebrates her 75th birthday today, it is the perfect moment to look back at a career that has shaped the very fabric of Indian cinema. Known as the face of parallel cinema, she balanced meaningful art-house roles with memorable mainstream performances, carving a niche that very few actors could achieve. With five National Awards and countless accolades to her name, Shabana Azmi has always been more than just an actor. She is a storyteller, a trailblazer and a voice of social change. On this special day, we revisit some of her most powerful films that continue to inspire generations.

Arth (1982)

 One of her most iconic roles, Arth saw Shabana Azmi deliver a deeply emotional performance as a woman who discovers her strength after betrayal. Her raw and layered portrayal touched countless hearts and won her a National Award, cementing her place as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema.

Ankur (1974)

 Her debut film directed by Shyam Benegal was a turning point not just for her career but for Indian cinema itself. Playing Lakshmi, a poor woman trapped in the chains of poverty and social injustice, Shabana brought unmatched realism to the screen and immediately stood out as a powerful performer.

Paar (1984)

 This gut-wrenching film told the story of a couple facing unimaginable struggles, and Shabana’s performance alongside Naseeruddin Shah was filled with pain, resilience and truth. It earned her yet another National Award and remains one of the most haunting portrayals of human survival on screen.

Masoom (1983)

 In this tender family drama, Shabana played a mother grappling with her husband’s betrayal while still trying to hold her family together. Her balance of strength and vulnerability gave the film its soul, making Masoom one of the most cherished films of the 80s.

Fire (1996)

A bold and path-breaking film for its time, Fire saw Shabana Azmi play Radha, a woman who finds unexpected love and companionship in another woman. Her sensitive yet courageous performance was ahead of its time and earned international acclaim for breaking stereotypes.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi turns 75: When she won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

Vyjayanthi Movies shared an update on X (formerly Twitter). The post read, “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future projects.”

As per a report from NDTV, the reason for the fallout between the actress and the makers include the former asking for a 25 percent hike in her acting fee. The report states, “Deepika Padukone wanted a 25 percent increase in her acting fee compared to what she earned for the first part of the film. Additionally, she insisted on limiting her daily shooting schedule to a 7-hour shift.”

Moreover, the producers reportedly offered her “luxury vanity for rest periods in exchange for longer working hours.” However, the actress apparently declined the same. She also reportedly wanted five star stays for her 25-person crew. The report further adds, “There were just too many demands. This raised concerns among producers who questioned why they should bear additional costs beyond the actor’s fees.”

Deepika Padukone recently exited from Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas’ Spirit too. Deepika’s alleged exit was due to disagreements over working conditions and remuneration.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone Is Not a Part of Kalki 2898 AD 2, Production House Confirms

Rahul Gandhi has accused the Chief Election Commissioner of shielding “vote chors” and obstructing investigations into voter deletions, presenting alleged proof of manipulation in Karnataka’s Aland constituency. The BJP has dismissed these claims as lies, while the Election Commission has refuted them, stating that deletions cannot be done online.