Nantes Festival honours Shabana Azmi’s 50-year cinematic journey

Renowned Indian actress and activist Shabana Azmi is being celebrated at the 46th Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, France. The festival, dedicated to showcasing cinema from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, is honoring Azmi with a special retrospective marking her 50 illustrious years in Hindi cinema.
Iconic films such as Ankur and Mandi, both helmed by legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, have drawn packed screenings, highlighting her enduring appeal.
Sharing her joy on social media, Azmi posted: "Roaming the streets in #Nantes. Perfect weather. Had screenings of #Ankur and #Mandi to packed audiences. #ShyamBenegal wish you were here."

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The retrospective features a selection of her acclaimed works, including Masoom and Arth, and celebrates her versatility as an actress and her significant contribution to socially conscious cinema. French audiences have long cherished Azmi's films, with her work receiving accolades at esteemed venues like the Cinémathèque Française, the Centre Pompidou, and previous editions of the Festival des 3 Continents.
This year marks a milestone in Azmi's career, recently celebrated at the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) with the Excellence in Cinema Award. A recipient of five National Film Awards for Best Actress, she has also earned international acclaim with performances in Madame Sousatzka (1988), City of Joy (1992), and more recently, Shekhar Kapur's What's Love Got to Do with It? and Steven Spielberg's Halo.
Beyond cinema, Azmi’s legacy as an activist for housing and women’s rights resonates globally. In 1989, she was honored alongside luminaries like Mother Teresa and Rigoberta Menchú at the Biennale of Human Rights in France, receiving recognition from President François Mitterrand for her social impact.
As the festival celebrates global storytelling, Azmi's retrospective stands as a testament to her artistic brilliance and unwavering commitment to cinema as a tool for change.