Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover, whose last release "I Am Kalam" fetched him worldwide recognition and honours, thanked veteran actor Shabana Azmi for helping him in finding roles in his initial days.

"Shabanaji has helped me a lot in the beginning of my career. She recommended me to Mohan Kumar for a role in 'Avtaar' and told him that I am very hard working," the 51-year-old actor said at the DVD launch of "I Am Kalam".