This National Award winner sold coffee at a petrol pump, attempted suicide twice and was later seen in 7 films with a superstar.

Whenever Bollywood celebrities are mentioned, we imagine them with glamorous lives, traveling in luxury cars and enjoying the fame that comes with being a superstar. However, let’s understand that for many of these actors, the road to stardom has not been easy. In fact, before entering the showbiz industry, they had held different jobs. These stars experienced multiple twists and turns and chose careers that had nothing to do with acting. Also Read – Shabana Azmi recalls Honey Irani calling Javed Akhtar in the middle of the night and he…

One of these stars was a popular Bollywood actress who also sold coffee at a gas station. Interestingly, her hard work paid off and not only did she manage to make her acting debut but she also won a national award for her impeccable performance. Also Read – Aapka Apna Zakir: Karan Johar tells Zakir Khan what happened when he was narrating the kiss scene in Rocky Aur Rani to Dharmendra

Shabana Azmi’s childhood and education Also Read – Shabana Azmi says she was called a ‘stupid girl’ by Shashi Kapoor after refusing to do an intimate scene with him

The actress is one of the iconic and respected names in Indian cinema, and is always hailed for parallel and mainstream cinema, and is none other than Shabana Azmi. Born in Hyderabad, Azmi is the daughter of popular poet Kaifi Azmi and actress Shaukat Azmi. After completing her schooling from Queen Mary School, Mumbai, she graduated in psychology from St. Xavier’s College. She continued her acting studies and enrolled for a course at the popular Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. In her autobiography Kaif and I: A Memoir, Azmi’s mother Shaukat Azmi took fans through a surprising chapter in her daughter’s life. Even though she belonged to a wealthy family, Shabana worked at gas stations and sold coffee to earn just Rs 30 a day. She had worked at this odd job during her college years.

Shabana Azmi’s performances that remain etched in our hearts

Shabana’s career has been built on incredible and flawless performances, each playing a key role in showcasing her versatility. In her first film Ankur, released in 1974, she had essayed the role of a woman caught in a difficult environment. Her performance in Shyam Benegal’s Ankur helped her win her first National Award for Best Actress. His four additional National Film Awards came for incredible acts in Arth (1982), Khandhar (1984), Paar (1984) and Godmother (1999). These films helped her cement her position as one of the popular actors in the history of Indian cinema. In every film Shabana has directed, she has invested efforts in breaking barriers and portraying complex characters that have become iconic in Indian cinema.

Shabana’s exceptional efforts and work have also enabled her to achieve recognition and awards from the Government of India. She won the Padma Shri in 1998 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for her roles. Throughout her career, Shabana has worked with popular names in the industry including the legendary Rajesh Khanna. Shabana and Rajesh had acted in seven films together and shared a strong friendship.

Shabana Azmi’s deep emotional turmoil
During her childhood, Shabana attempted suicide twice. In her autobiography, Shabana’s mother Shaukat had spoken about an incident in which she consumed copper sulfate in a school laboratory and was saved by her friend.

Shabana always thought her mother loved her younger brother more. This is why, in anguish, she attempted suicide. Shabana had also attempted suicide by standing in front of the train. She was saved by the school guard.

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