Shabana Azmi is a woman of substance. No doubt about that. She has lived a quality life and has been an inspiration to millions of woman, not only in India but across the globe. She has twin reasons to celebrate today. Firstly, it’s her 55^th Birthday. Secondly, she is the first Indian to have been awarded with the prestigious International Gandhi Award. She will be receiving this award on September 26^th in the House of Lords in London for her social work.

Five time National Award winning actress has worked in some of the greatest Art House films to have emerged out of India. Films like ‘Manthan’, ‘Arth’, ‘Mandi’, ‘Yeh Nazdikiyan’, ‘Fire’, ‘Godmother’, ‘Sparsh’ and ‘Anjuman’. She has also been part of out and out commercial films like ‘Parvarish’ and ‘Amar, Akbar and Anthony’ but somehow never fitted into the glam babe mould. Today she is happily married to writer Javed Akhtar whom she considers the greatest feminist she has known. And Azmi continues to look radiant as good work continues to flow her way.

IndiaGlitz wishes Shabana Azmi a very Happy Birthday.