He joined Communist Party of India and worked as a trade unionist and wrote in party's Urdu papers.

He discontinued his studies in Persian and Urdu midway to join the Quit India Movement in 1942, after which he devoted himself primarily to political activism and poetry.

He published his first poetry collection, Jhankar. Moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and worked as a journalist for the Communist Party's Urdu newspaper, Qaumi Jung. Became active in the Progressive Writers' Association (Anjuman Tarraqi Pasand Mussanafin-e-Hind) and Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).

He married Shaukat Kaifi, a theatre actress, after meeting her at a mushaira in Hyderabad.

He debuted as a lyricist for the film Buzdil, directed by Shahid Lateef.

Wrote the lyrics for Yahudi Ki Beti, directed by Nanubhai Vakil. Continued to collaborate with Nanubhai Vakil for several years, including films like Miss Punjab Mail and Idd Ka Chand
One of his earliers credits as dialogue writer was Heer, which released this year.

Gained prominence as a lyricist with Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool, featuring the iconic song Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam.

He wrote the lyrics for Chetan Anand's war film Haqeeqat, which featured iconic songs like Kar Chale Hum Fida.

Kaifi Azmi's column Chunav Charcha, which appeared in the Urdu edition of Blitz, was a striking example of how he blended political analysis with literary flair. Usually appearing in a run-up to the elections, these articles explored the promises, propaganda and posturing of the candidates with a fine-tooth comb. As opposed to dry political commentary, Chunav Charcha carried the cadence and razo-sharpness of Kaifi Azmi's verse. Filled with ironic turns of phrase, pointed satire and unflinching look at power and its perils. These writings exposed the gulf between electoral rhetoric and daily suffering of the poor and the dispossessed. It had all the progressive and liberal ideas representative of Kaifi's ideology as a practising communist and a member of the Progressive Writers' Association.

Nayi Gulistan was Kaifi Azmi's literary column published in the Urdu journal Blitz durig the 1960s and 70s. As a prominent figure of the Progressive Writers' Association, Kaifi utilised the platform to challenge feudalism, communalism and the hypocirisies of the growing Indian middle-class, the burgeoisie. In a series of polemical essays and articles, he addressed worker's rights, the exploitation of peasants and labourers, communal polarisation and the pressing need for a modern, socialist vision for India. True to its name, Literally invoking a new garden of roses, Nayi Gulistan envisioned a cultural and political flourishing rooted in principles of equality, secularism, and social justice.

He wrote the song lyrics for the soundtrack of the Khwaja Ahmad Abbas' Saat Hindustani, which won him the National Film Award for Best Lyrics.

He penned the entire script in verse for Chetan Anand's Heer Raanjha, a unique achievement in Hindi cinema. The dialogues rhymed with each other, and were formatted like poetry. In a sense, the script was one big poem, composed largely by Kaifi Azmi.

He wrote lyrics for the soundtracks of Pakeezah (e.g., Chalte Chalte Yun Hi Koi) and Bawarchi.

Wrote the story (with Ismat Chughtai), screenplay, and dialogues for M.S. Sathyu's Garm Hava.

A brain haemorrhage on 8 February, 1973 left him partially paralysed, with his left hand and leg permanently impaired. Yet, rather than retreat into hopelessness, he chose to leave behind the comforts of Bombay and return to Mijwan, the modest village in Azamgarh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, where he had been born. There, he channelled his energy into founding the Mijwan Welfare Society, an organisation committed to empowering women, with a particular emphasis on supporting the girl child.

Awara Sajde is an eclectic collection of poems by Kaifi Azmi. It was the third of four published collection of verses, and came out in 1974. It is considered one of his most significant works and is characterised by Kaifi's signature style and approach. Demonstrating his mastery over Urdu poetry, it blends traditional forms with a modern sensibility. The collection explored diverse themes encompassing love, social issues and the human condition. Like much of Kaifi's ouevre, this collection exhibits elements of strong social commentary, a reflection of his progressive and humanist ideals. Awara Sajde won him the Sahitya Akademi award in 1975.

He penned the dialogues for Shyam Benegal's Manthan.

He wrote lyrics for Mahesh Bhatt's Arth, including Koi Ye Kaise Bataye.

He wrote lyrics for Razia Sultan, directed by Kamal Amrohi.

He returned his Padma Shree in protest against derogatory remarks by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Vir Bahadur Singh about Urdu speakers.

He wrote the poem Doosra Banwas, inspired by the Babri Masjid demolition.

He acted in Saeed Mirza's Naseem, playing the role of Naseem's grandfather.

Kaifi Azmi passed away on May 10 in Mumbai due to cardiac and respiratory complications, aged 83. His Communist Party membership card was buried with him as per his wishes.