Bollywood came together to celebrate the 74th birthday of the legendary actress Shabana Azmi on Wednesday, as a host of her esteemed colleagues took to social media to share heartfelt tributes and glimpses from the festive bash. The celebration saw an outpouring of affection from Farah Khan, Vidya Balan, Dia Mirza, Urmila Matondkar, and Richa Chadha, who collectively honored Azmi’s remarkable contribution to Indian cinema.
Farah Khan kicked off the celebrations with a playful video on Instagram, featuring Shabana Azmi alongside Urmila Matondkar and Vidya Balan. The video captures a light-hearted moment where Farah jokingly referred to Shabana’s 74th birthday as her “50th birthday,” prompting Urmila and Vidya to humorously agree. Farah’s caption read, “Here with 2 of the best dancers in Bollywood!! @azmishabana18 n @balanvidya .. n oh.. there’s also @urmilamatondkarofficial 😜 happy birthday Shabana.” The playful banter reflected the deep camaraderie and respect they hold for the veteran actress.
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Urmila Matondkar also took to social media to share a series of throwback pictures with Shabana Azmi, reminiscing about their shared experiences and the profound influence Azmi has had on her life. “The ‘Maa’ that CineMa gave me… and cheesy as it may sound I can always say to anyone ‘Mere paas Maa hai’. Happy Birthday dearest Shabanaji,” Urmila wrote. She further expressed, “It has been an absolute pleasure n an incredible privilege to have seen you, worked with you, understood n learnt a great deal from you which still continues.” Her heartfelt note reflected the deep bond and admiration she feels for Azmi.
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Dia Mirza also posted charming pictures from the birthday celebrations, including a video of the group posing together. Dia’s tribute was equally warm and personal, stating, “Happy Birthday Shabana Amma ♥️🤗😍 You are our inspiration, our cheerleader and the glue that holds us together. We are so lucky to call you our own.” She further acknowledged Azmi’s impact on the industry, noting, “As you complete 50 years in cinema this month please know that you are deeply cherished. Thank you for being the absolute best.”
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The birthday bash was a star-studded event, with Richa Chadha’s husband, Ali Fazal, capturing moments from the celebration on camera. Richa shared her own warm wishes, joining in the collective celebration of Shabana Azmi’s remarkable legacy.
Shabana Azmi, who was last seen in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, continues to be a significant figure in Indian cinema. Her contributions over the decades have left an indelible mark on the industry, and the outpouring of love and respect from her peers is a testament to her enduring influence and cherished place in Bollywood. As Bollywood celebrates Shabana Azmi’s 74th birthday, it is clear that her legacy as a pioneering actress and an inspiring figure remains as strong as ever.
