Shabana Azmi wishes Kanwaljit Singh on birthday: '50 years of friendship'
Synopsis
Shabana Azmi's Instagram birthday post for Kanwaljit Singh — 'Kukuji' — is more than a social media gesture. It is a tribute to a friendship of over 50 years, rooted in parallel cinema's golden era and four shared films spanning 1982 to 2005.
Key Takeaways
Shabana Azmi posted a birthday wish for Kanwaljit Singh on 20 September 2026 on her official Instagram handle.
Azmi described herself as 'lucky to be friends' with Kanwaljit for over 50 years .
The two actors have collaborated in four films: 'Ashanti' (1982), 'Hum Rahe Na Hum' (1984), 'Shart' (1986), and '15 Park Avenue' (2005).
Shabana Azmi made her debut in 1974 with Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' and has an acclaimed career spanning over five decades.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi penned a heartfelt birthday message for her long-time friend and fellow actor Kanwaljit Singh on Saturday, 20 September, marking over five decades of their enduring bond. Azmi shared the post on her official Instagram handle, calling herself fortunate to count Kanwaljit among her closest friends for more than 50 years.
What Shabana Azmi Said
In her birthday post, Azmi wrote: 'Dearest Kukuji, wish you a very happy birthday. Ek bahut achcha dost bahut achcha actor aur bahut achcha insaan bahut kam milta hai. Im lucky to be friends with you for over 50 years! Jeete raho khush raho bahut saara pyar.' The message affectionately addressed Kanwaljit by his nickname 'Kukuji' and highlighted his qualities as a friend, actor, and human being.
Their On-Screen Collaborations Across Decades
The two veteran actors have shared screen space across several notable projects spanning more than two decades. Their earliest collaboration was in the 1982 action drama 'Ashanti', which also featured Rajesh Khanna and Mithun Chakraborty in key roles.
In 1984, they came together for 'Hum Rahe Na Hum', directed by Chetan Anand and Ketan Anand and produced by Vijay Anand, who also appeared in the film alongside Rehana Sultan. Two years later, in 1986, they reunited for the crime entertainer 'Shart', helmed by Ketan Anand, which also starred Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika.
Their most recent professional association was in 2005, when they appeared together in '15 Park Avenue', directed by Aparna Sen.
Shabana Azmi: A Career Spanning Five Decades
The daughter of celebrated poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi and theatre actress Shaukat Kaifi, Shabana Azmi made her acting debut with Shyam Benegal's landmark film 'Ankur' in 1974. Over the decades, she has delivered acclaimed performances in films including 'Nishant', 'Arth', 'Masoom', 'Paar', 'Mandi', 'Shatranj Ke Khilari', 'Sparsh', 'Godmother', and 'Fire', among many others.
As Kanwaljit Singh marks another birthday, Azmi's warm public tribute is a reminder of the deep personal and professional ties that have defined Indian cinema's parallel film movement over generations.
Point of View
But Azmi's tribute to Kanwaljit Singh carries a cultural footnote worth noting: their friendship spans the full arc of Hindi parallel cinema, from the movement's early 1970s roots through its gradual mainstream absorption. That two actors of their generation remain this publicly affectionate speaks to bonds forged in an era when the film industry was a far smaller, more insular world. Mainstream coverage will treat this as a feel-good sidebar; the more interesting story is how parallel cinema's off-screen camaraderie quietly shaped collaborative on-screen choices across two decades.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shabana Azmi post a birthday wish for Kanwaljit Singh?
Shabana Azmi shared a birthday post for Kanwaljit Singh on her Instagram on 20 September to celebrate his birthday and their friendship of over 50 years. She called him a wonderful friend, actor, and human being in her heartfelt message.
Which films have Shabana Azmi and Kanwaljit Singh worked in together?
The two actors collaborated in four films: 'Ashanti' (1982), 'Hum Rahe Na Hum' (1984), 'Shart' (1986), and '15 Park Avenue' (2005). Their most recent on-screen appearance together was in '15 Park Avenue', directed by Aparna Sen.
What did Shabana Azmi write in her birthday message for Kanwaljit Singh?
Azmi wrote: 'Dearest Kukuji, wish you a very happy birthday. Ek bahut achcha dost bahut achcha actor aur bahut achcha insaan bahut kam milta hai. Im lucky to be friends with you for over 50 years! Jeete raho khush raho bahut saara pyar.' The post was shared on her official Instagram handle.
Who is Shabana Azmi?
Shabana Azmi is a veteran Bollywood actress who debuted with Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' in 1974. She is the daughter of poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi and theatre actress Shaukat Kaifi, and has appeared in acclaimed films like 'Arth', 'Masoom', 'Paar', 'Mandi', and 'Godmother', among others.
Who is Kanwaljit Singh?
Kanwaljit Singh is a veteran Indian actor known for his work in Hindi films and television. He has collaborated with Shabana Azmi across multiple productions since the early 1980s and shares a personal friendship with her spanning over five decades.
