In the film industry, there have been actresses who have ruled the hearts of audiences with their जबरदस्त (tremendous) acting for decades. Among them is a name that still impresses everyone with her attractive personality and excellent performance.
Tabu: If any actress in Bollywood has proven age to be just a number, it is Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, also known as Tabu. Even at the age of 53, her charisma and acting magic appear as fresh and powerful as ever. Tabu has played numerous characters in her career that people remember for years.
But the most interesting aspect of her career is that she has portrayed three completely different relationships on screen with the same actor: mother, wife, and girlfriend, and that too with such intensity that she breathed life into every character.
Started her acting journey from childhood
Tabu's film journey began in her childhood. In 1982, she acted in the film Bazaar at the age of 11. Then, she appeared in another film, Hum Naujawan, at the age of 14. However, she gained recognition as a lead actress in the 90s. Tabu's first Hindi film debut was supposed to be Prem, but it was delayed, and her first release was Pehla Pehla Pyaar (1994). In the same year, she worked with Ajay Devgn in Vijaypath, which took her popularity to new heights.
Played three relationships with Nandamuri Balakrishna
Tabu didn't limit herself to Hindi cinema. She has also played brilliant roles in Tamil and Telugu films. Her first Telugu film was Coolie No. 1 (1991), in which she worked with Venkatesh. After this, she made her mark in several Telugu superhit films. The most interesting thing about Tabu's career has been that she played the roles of mother, wife, and girlfriend with the same hero. Tabu's pairing with Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna, whom people lovingly call Balayya, was well-liked by the audience.
In the 2002 film Chennakesava Reddy, Tabu played a double role — where she brought to life both the wife and the mother of Balakrishna on screen. Imagine, an actress played both the mother and wife for a hero and still showed such diversity in the characters that the audience couldn't help but be impressed.
Furthermore, in the 2008 film Pandurangadu, Tabu played the role of Balakrishna's girlfriend. This is a unique record in itself, which shows how versatile and b an actress Tabu is, who does not shy away from accepting any challenge.
Tabu's magic still prevails
Even at the age of 53, Tabu is in as much demand in films as she was at the peak of her career. In the last few years, she has once again proved her brilliance in films like the Drishyam series, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Kuttey. She has shared the screen with big stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan, Mohanlal, and Ajith and has impressed the audience with her presence every time.
Tabu is also showcasing her acting prowess in the world of OTT. Her performances in projects like A Suitable Boy and Criminal Justice have proven that Tabu is capable of giving tough competition to the new generation at any stage of her life.
Tabu is not just an actress, she is an institution
Calling Tabu just an actress might not be fair to her talent. She is an institution who has enriched Indian cinema for decades. Because of her beauty, powerful dialogue delivery, expressions, and depth in characters, she still rules the hearts of the audience today. Her specialty is that she breathes new life into every role — whether it's the role of a mother, a wife, a girlfriend, or a police officer. And this is why Tabu is still considered one of the most respected and beloved actresses in the industry.
