Shabana Azmi's warm post for 'lovely friend' Aparna Sen wins hearts
Synopsis
Shabana Azmi's affectionate social media post celebrating her friendship with Aparna Sen — photographed by Konkona Sen Sharma — is a rare, warm window into a bond between two of Indian cinema's most revered figures, stretching across decades and multiple acclaimed collaborations.
Key Takeaways
Shabana Azmi posted a candid photograph with Aparna Sen on Tuesday, 9 June , captioning it 'I just love her.' The photograph was taken by Konkona Sen Sharma , Aparna Sen's daughter and a National Award-winning filmmaker.
The two have collaborated on films including 'Sati' , '15 Park Avenue' , and 'Sonata' .
Aparna Sen is a Padma Shri awardee and director of over six decades of acclaimed cinema.
Shabana Azmi is a five-time National Award winner and former Rajya Sabha member.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi on Tuesday, 9 June shared a candid photograph with celebrated filmmaker and actress Aparna Sen, offering a rare public glimpse of their decades-long friendship. The picture, posted on Shabana's social media account, was taken by none other than Konkona Sen Sharma — Aparna's daughter and an acclaimed actress-filmmaker in her own right.
The Post That Caught Everyone's Attention
In the image, Shabana Azmi is dressed in a white embroidered kurta, while Aparna Sen stands behind her with her arms wrapped warmly around the actress. Alongside the picture, Shabana wrote: 'I just love her. With my lovely friend #Aparna Sen. Photo by #Konkona Sen.' The affectionate caption quickly resonated with fans and followers of both stalwarts.
A Friendship Forged on Screen and Off
The bond between Shabana Azmi and Aparna Sen stretches well beyond personal affection — the two have collaborated on several notable films over the years. Their shared projects include Aparna Sen's critically admired works 'Sati', '15 Park Avenue', and 'Sonata'. Each collaboration has been widely regarded as a meeting of two of Indian cinema's most formidable creative minds.
About Aparna Sen
Aparna Sen, a Padma Shri awardee, is widely regarded as one of India's most distinguished filmmakers and actresses. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has directed landmark films including '36 Chowringhee Lane', 'Paroma', 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer', 'The Japanese Wife', 'Goynar Baksho', and 'The Rapist'. She is a multiple National Film Award winner and the mother of National Award-winning actress and filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma.
About Shabana Azmi
Shabana Azmi, a five-time National Award winner, made her debut in Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' in 1974 and has since delivered iconic performances in films such as 'Arth', 'Masoom', 'Paar', 'Fire', 'Godmother', 'Neerja', and 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. Beyond cinema, she has been a prominent social activist and a former member of the Rajya Sabha.
The post is a reminder that some of Indian cinema's most enduring partnerships are as much about friendship as they are about craft — and that this particular bond, photographed by the next generation, shows no signs of fading.
Point of View
Shabana Azmi's unguarded post stands apart — it is personal, unscripted, and photographed by the daughter of the very person being celebrated. What the post quietly underscores is the depth of a creative and personal friendship that has survived decades of industry change. Both Azmi and Sen represent a generation of Indian cinema that prioritised craft over commerce, and their continued closeness is itself a statement about the values that bound them. The fact that Konkona Sen Sharma — herself now a filmmaker of note — is behind the lens adds a generational dimension that mainstream coverage tends to overlook.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shabana Azmi post about Aparna Sen?
Shabana Azmi shared a candid photograph of herself and Aparna Sen warmly embracing, captioned 'I just love her. With my lovely friend #Aparna Sen. Photo by #Konkona Sen.' The post was shared on 9 June and quickly drew warm reactions online.
Who took the photograph of Shabana Azmi and Aparna Sen?
The photograph was taken by Konkona Sen Sharma, Aparna Sen's daughter and a National Award-winning actress and filmmaker. Shabana Azmi specifically credited her in the caption.
What films have Shabana Azmi and Aparna Sen worked on together?
The two have collaborated on several of Aparna Sen's acclaimed films, including 'Sati', '15 Park Avenue', and 'Sonata'. Their on-screen partnerships have been widely praised by critics.
What are Shabana Azmi's most notable achievements?
Shabana Azmi is a five-time National Award winner who debuted in Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' in 1974. Her acclaimed filmography includes 'Arth', 'Masoom', 'Fire', 'Neerja', and 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. She has also served as a former Rajya Sabha member and is a prominent social activist.
