Calling Tabu one of the greatest actresses of her time seems like an understatement, as she continues to mesmerize us with her performances. Her ability to channel the character she was playing and the power to bring their innermost emotions and fears to the screen is second to none. On her birthday, Tasweermahal is looking back at her extraordinary life and exceptional work.
Early Life and Debut
Tabu, born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, was born on November 4, 1971, in Hyderabad, India, into a family with rich cultural and educational backgrounds. Her father, Jamal Hashmi, was an actor, while her mother, Rizwana, was a teacher. When she was still very young, her father moved away after his divorce with her mother. Her mother raised her and her sister as a single mother with the help of her parents. Her maternal grandparents, both retired professors were a big influence on her liffe. Tabu’s elder sister, Farah Naaz, was also a celebrated actress of her time. She is also related to Shabana Azmi and Baba Azmi.
Tabu’s foray into acting was somewhat serendipitous. She made her debut as a child artist in the film “Bazaar” in 1982. She later moved to Mumbai, where she pursued her education at St. Xavier’s College. Tabu was 14, when Dev Anand cast her in “Hum Naujawan (1985).” In the film she played Anand’s daughter who was brutally raped and killed. The role gave young Tabu visibility in the industry.
After a few years, she sgined Boney Kapoor’s upcomibng “Prem” opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The film was Sanjay’s launch vehicle, but plagued with many problems. It gets delayed for many years and released only in 1995. Her first leading role came with the Telugu film “Coolie No. 1” in 1991. Her debut in Hindi films came with Pehla Pehla Pyar (1994) opposite Rishi Kapoor.
Tabu’s Breakthrough
Tabu’s first success came with “Vijaypath (1994),” opposite Ajay Devgn. The film gave her the nickname “Ruk Ruk Girl” because of her song “Ruk Ruk Ruk, Are Baba Ruk.” She followed the success with films like Haqeeqat (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), and Jeet (1996). She received her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Jeet.
Tabu tasted success with these films, but her real breakthrough came with Gulzar‘s critically acclaimed “Maachis” in 1996. The film catapulted her to national fame, earning her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Her portrayal of characters that grapple with complex emotions and societal issues has been a recurring theme in her body of work.
Machis was the turning point of her career, as from here, her career clearly divided into two distinctive paths, one of more commercial and masala films and one with performance-oriented serious films, and she excelled in both. On one side, she acted in successful films like “Virasat (1997),” “Border (1997),” “Chachi 420 (1997),” “Biwi No. 1 (1999), “Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999),” and “Hera Pheri (2000).”
The Rise Of Tabu
At the same time, she mesmerized the audience with her intensity in films like “Kaalapani (1996),” “Darmiyaan: In Between (1997),” “Hu Tu Tu” (1999), “Thakshak (1999),” “Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar (2000),” “Ghaath (2000),” and “Filhaal… (2002),” further establishing her as a formidable actress, capable of delivering powerful performances.
Astitva
In 2000, she acted in Mahesh Majrekar’s “Astitva,” a woman who had an extrav marital affair in her youth. In the film her character, Aditi challenged the societal norms and questioned the double standards regarding female sexuality. Her bold and graceful performance in ‘Astitva’ was ahead of its time and remains a significant part of her filmography.
Chandni Bar
One of the most significant performances of her career came in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Chandni Bar in 2001. In this gritty portrayal of a bar dancer, Mumtaaz, Tabu brought to the screen a raw and realistic depiction of survival and motherhood in the underbelly of Mumbai. She won the National Film Award for best actress for her performance in Chandni Bar.
Maqbool
In 2003, Vishal Bhardwaj cast her as Lady Macbeth in his adaptation of Shakespearean tragedy “Macbeth,” titled’ “Maqbool.” In the film, Tabu’s transformation from a seductress to a woman burdened by guilt was both powerful and haunting. The film is also remembered for her chemistry with the equally impressive Irrfan Khan. Together they create a trance-like atmosphere with their powerful emotive power and raw emotional availability.
Abar Aranye
In Gautam Ghose’s Bengali film “Abar Aranye,” Tabu played Amrita, who went into a forest with her parents and their friends. The film is a sequel to Satyajit Ray’s “Aranyer Din Ratri,” which revolves around four friends from the city who embark on a journey to the forests of Bihar, seeking respite from their urban existence. In the segregation, they came back to the forest after 30 years with their families. The film provided Tabu with a platform to perform in a language and culture different from her usual milieu.
Widning the Horizon
Tabu was already a powerhouse performer when her journey into international cinema began. In 2006 she starred in “The Namesake” (2006), opposite Irrfan Khan and directed by Mira Nair. The film was an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel of the same name. In the film, Tabu played the role of Ashima Ganguli, a Bengali immigrant navigating the complexities of life and identity in America. Her portrayal was met with critical acclaim, as she brought depth and nuance to the character’s cross-cultural experiences. Her ability to convey the character’s inner turmoil through restrained expressions was nothing short of remarkable.
Apart from Hindi, she also acted in many memorable Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films like “Ninne Pelladata (1996, Telugu), Iruvar (1997, Tamil), Aavida Maa Aavide (1998, Telugu), Thaayin Manikodi (1998, Tamil), Cover Story (2000, Malayalam), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000, Tamil), Chennakesava Reddy (2002, Telugu), Andarivaadu (2005, Telugu), Shock (2006, Telugu), Rakkilippattu (2007, Malayalam), Idi Sangathi (2008, Telugu), Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020, Telugu),
Lean Phase
In the next decade, Tabu will continue to act in selective films like Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2003), Fanaa (2006), Cheeni Kum (2007), Life of Pi (2012), Jai Ho (2014), and Haider (2016).
In 2007, Tabu portrayed a woman in love with a man many years her senior in R. Balki’s “Cheeni Kum,” opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The film broke societal norms about age and relationships. Tabu’s performance added a layer of sincerity and grace to the unconventional love story.
Tabu Came and Conquered
In 2016, Vishal Bhardwaj made an adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and chose Tabu to play Gertrude, aka Ghazala. Ghazala was complex character guilt ridden for her role in the death of her husband. She is also torn between her love for her son and her paramour. Tabu captured the essence of a mother caught in a web of familial and political intrigue. Her portrayal was a masterclass in subtlety and emotional depth. Her silence, her pauses, the quiver of her voice everything was on spot. You can almost feel the guilt in her eyes and posture in the climactic scenes.
Haider was a sort of comeback for one of the greatest actresses of our time and since then she has continued to act and mesmerize us with her films like Drishyam (2015), Talvar (2015), Fitoor (2016), Golmaal Again (2017), Missing (2018), Andhadhun (2018), De De Pyaar De (2019), Bharat (2019), Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2019), Drishyam 2 (2019), Kuttey (2023), Bholaa (2023), Khufiya (2023), and Crew (2024).
Among these films, she especially shines in “Drishyam,” where she portrayed the stern police officer, IG Meera Deshmukh. Tabu delivered a powerful performance as a grieving mother and a powerful law enforcement officer, which is a masterclass in the balance of subtle and intense.
One more performance worthy of mentioning is her role on the Sriram Raghavan thriller “Andhadhun (2018).” In the film Tabu played Simi, a character with shades of grey. Her portrayal was captivating, as she balanced charm with ruthlessness, leaving audiences both horrified and secretly cheering for her.
She again mesmerised the audience with her dual role in horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiya 2. In an otherwise ordinary film, Tabu brought intrigue and thrill with her charm and ability to switch between two distinct characters.
Decoding Tabu
Tabu has often spoken about relying on her intuition when it comes to acting. She approaches each role with a fresh perspective, allowing the character and the story to guide her performance. Tabu also has the ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and depth. Whether it’s the quiet suffering of a mother or the inner turmoil of a conflicted character, she is always on top.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Tabu’s acting is her flexibility and willingness to be moulded by the vision of her directors. She views herself as a tool in the hands of the director, bringing to life their interpretation of the script. This collaborative process has led her to work with some of the most renowned filmmakers, from Gulzar and Gautam Ghose to Sriram Raghwan and Vishal Bharadwaj, who often praise her ability to transform their vision into a nuanced on-screen reality.
Tabu has a unique ability to convey meaning through silence. Her powerful screen presence allows her to express a character’s thoughts and feelings without words, using subtle facial expressions and body language. This skill is particularly evident in films where her character is required to communicate more with less, proving that sometimes silence can speak volumes.
Awards and Accolades
Throughout her illustrious career, Tabu has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, she gets the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for her contributions to the arts.
Tabu has often been praised for her choice of roles that challenge societal norms and portray women with depth and authenticity. Her versatility and ability to convey depth through silence have made her one of the most respected and talented actresses in Indian cinema. As she continues to explore new roles and push the boundaries of her craft, Tabu’s approach to acting remains a fascinating aspect of her illustrious career.
Tabu on IMDB
