Tribune News ServiceS

Shabana Azmi to Receive Peace Prize

October 26, 2006

Versatile actress and social activist Shabana Azmi will receive the prestigious International Gandhi Peace Prize at a special function at Britain’s House of Commons here tomorrow for her work amongst the disadvantaged women of India, particularly in Mumbai slums.

Azmi, who was described by Satyajit Ray, as the finest dramatic actress of India, told PTI “I am honoured at being chosen for such an outstanding award, whose previous recipients included the Dalai Lama.” She said she was happy that her involvement for rehabilitation of slum dwellers had borne fruit. At least 13,000 slum dwellers have been rehabilitated owing to her effort.

Azmi has starred in some of the greatest Indian films like Ankur, Mandi, Arth, Khandar, Paar, Sparsh, Godmother and Tehzeeb.

Born to noted Urdu progressive poet Kaifi Azmi and theatre actress Shaukat Kaifi, Shabana has acted in films by virtually all of India’s most famous art house directors including Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen and others as well as in commercial and middle-of-the-road Hindi films, besides some international films where she has essayed several strong female characters.

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