Azmi has been described as one of India’s finest actresses of film, television, and theatre. She has been involved in over 150 movies, both in Hindi and foreign languages, many to international acclaim. During her extraordinary career, Azmi won the National Film Award for Best Actress five times and garnered several international honours. She has also received four Filmfare Awards. In addition to her successful career, Azmi is a social activist and supports issues such as women’s rights, child survival, and fighting AIDS and injustice through the use of mainstream media. She was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for India by the United Nations Population Fund in 1998. She is also a member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. In 2025 she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes).