Her national film award-winning roles were in Janani (1977), Sokhi Tumi Kar (1980), Dui Poisar Alta (1982), Nazma (1983), Bhat De (1984), Apeksha (1987), Ranga Bhabi (1989), Moroner Pore (1990) and Achena (1991).
[4] In 1981, Shabana attended the 12th Moscow International Film Festival[citation needed] where she met actress Natalya Belokhvostikova.
[4] She acted in 299 films in Bengali and Urdu, and one in Hindi titled Shatru where she starred with Indian actor Rajesh Khanna in 1986.
[7] She acted with Nadeem, Razzak, Bulbul Ahmed, Prabir Mitra, Shawkat Akbar, Subhash Dutta, Rahman, Syed Hasan Imam, Ujjal, Zafar Iqbal, Alamgir, Jashim, ATM Shamsuzzaman, Khasru, Sohel Rana, Mahmud Koli, Ilyas Kanchan, Wasim (actor), Humayun Faridi, Javed Sheikh and Rajesh Khanna.
She resurfaced in Pakistani movies during the 80s, when co-productions among South Asian countries became popular, including roles in Basera (1984) and Aandhi (1991), both co-starring Nadeem.