Shabana Azmi celebrated her 75th birthday on September 18, 2025, with a star-studded bash hosted by close family friend and producer, Boney Kapoor. The event, held at Kapoor's residence in Pali Hill, Bandra, brought together a host of industry stalwarts to celebrate the veteran actress's milestone.
While grand celebrations aren't typically Azmi's style, her family and friends ensured the occasion was unforgettable. The guest list included Azmi's husband, Javed Akhtar, their children Zoya and Farhan Akhtar, brother Baba Azmi, and friends from the film and theatre world. Notable attendees included Vidya Balan, Urmila Matondkar, Richa Chadha, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Johar.
Leading up to the party, Azmi's close-knit group of friends, calling themselves "Dher Saara Pyaar," enjoyed a spa day on September 17. Their celebrations had already begun over the weekend with the launch of Sandhya Mridul's book of poems, 'Untamed,' followed by dinner. The group was also excited to meet Azmi's other circle of friends, "Carpe Diem," with whom she had recently traveled to Iceland.
Shabana Azmi, a five-time National Award winner, has had a career spanning over five decades. She has seamlessly transitioned between parallel cinema and mainstream Bollywood, acting in films like Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' and Manmohan Desai's "masala entertainers". Azmi has also been a powerful voice for social causes, admired for both her acting and her convictions.
In an interview, Azmi shared her thoughts on turning 75, saying that she only thinks about her age when reminded of it. She expressed gratitude for her journey, acknowledging the impact of films like 'Ankur' and 'Arth'. She remains passionate about her work and looks forward to future projects and collaborations.
Boney Kapoor and Shabana Azmi's friendship goes back a long way; they collaborated on Kapoor's first production, 'Hum Paanch' (1980). According to a source, they became like family over the years, which prompted Kapoor to host the birthday bash.
Several videos and photos from the celebration have gone viral, capturing the joyous atmosphere of the event.