Tabu Turns 55: From Hum Naujawan to Drishyam, A Look at Four Decades of Her Acting Career
Tabu turns 55 on November 4, 2026. Having spent more than four decades in the film industry, the actress has established herself through a diverse range of roles across romance, comedy and serious drama. From playing romantic leads to portraying complex characters, she has continued to remain active in the industry. Even today, she features in big-budget productions as well as films built around unconventional stories.
Tabu's real name is Tabassum Fatima Hashmi. She was born on November 4, 1971, in Hyderabad. Her father was Jamal Hashmi and her mother is Rizwana. Following her parents' separation, she was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents. Her elder sister, Farah Naaz, has also worked in films, while actress Shabana Azmi is her maternal aunt.
Tabu was introduced to the film industry at an early age. In 1985, she appeared in Dev Anand's film Hum Naujawan, playing a girl who becomes a victim of sexual violence. She was still a teenager at the time.
In 1991, she made her debut as a leading actress with the Telugu film Coolie No. 1. Her breakthrough in Hindi cinema came with the 1994 film Vijaypath. Her pairing with Ajay Devgn was well received by audiences, and she received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance.
During the 1990s, Tabu appeared in several films that focused on romance, music and family relationships. Films such as Saajan Chale Sasural, Jeet, Haqeeqat and Border helped establish her as a popular actress.
However, Gulzar's 1996 film Maachis proved to be a significant turning point in her career. Set against the backdrop of terrorism in Punjab, the film featured Tabu in a role that was considerably different from her earlier performances. Her acting earned her the first National Film Award of her career.
She subsequently appeared in films such as Virasat, Hu Tu Tu and Hum Saath-Saath Hain, demonstrating her versatility across different genres. Her understated performances in family dramas and her portrayal of serious characters received considerable appreciation.
After 2000, Tabu increasingly chose stories in which female characters had identities and narratives beyond their relationships with male protagonists.
In Astitva, she portrayed a married woman navigating her personal life and individual decisions. In Madhur Bhandarkar's 2001 film Chandni Bar, she played a bar dancer and a mother struggling to secure a better future for her children. The performance earned her the second National Film Award of her career.
In 2003, she appeared in Vishal Bhardwaj's Maqbool, taking on another distinctive role. She also demonstrated her comic abilities in Hera Pheri. In 2007, her romantic role opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Cheeni Kum was well received by audiences.
During this period, Tabu also entered international cinema. Her performance in Mira Nair's The Namesake received appreciation. She subsequently appeared in the Hollywood film Life of Pi.
While actresses in Hindi cinema often face difficulties securing leading roles as they grow older, Tabu's career continued without a similar slowdown.
In the 2014 film Haider, she played Ghazala, a performance that earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She subsequently portrayed Meera Deshmukh, a strict police officer, in Drishyam. Her confrontation with Ajay Devgn's character became an important part of the film's narrative. She reprised the role in Drishyam 2 in 2022 and Drishyam: The Conclusion, released in October 2026.
In 2017, Tabu returned to comedy with Golmaal Again. The following year, she surprised audiences with her portrayal of Simi in Andhadhun.
In the 2022 film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Tabu played the dual roles of Anjulika and Manjulika. The two characters had distinctly different personalities and presentations.
In the 2023 film Khufiya, she portrayed an intelligence officer. In 2024, she appeared alongside Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in Crew, where her comic performance entertained audiences.
Tabu is now set to appear in actor Nagarjuna's 100th film, King 100. Directed by Ra Karthik, the film is planned for a theatrical release on December 24, 2026. Tabu and Nagarjuna will share the screen again after a long gap.
