Tabu (actress)

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Tabu

Tabu.
Born Tabassum Hashmi
November 4, 1970 (1970-11-04) (age 37)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Occupation Actress
Years active 1985, 1991 - present
Spouse(s) None

Tabu (Hindi: तब्बू, born Tabassum Hashmi Khan(तबस्सुम हाश्मी) on November 4, 1970 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India) is an award-winning Indian actress who has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and American films. She has won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice. She is best known for her critically acclaimed acting in a number of films rather than achieving box office success.

Despite a few exceptions, Tabu is known best for her willingness to play characters in artistic, low-budget films that go on to garner more critical appreciation than they do substantial box office figures such as in Maqbool (2003), Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004) or The Namesake (2007). Known to be selective on her film roles, she has said, "I do films which move me and most of all, the unit and the director should appeal to me."[1]

Contents

[edit] Career

Tabassum "Tabu" Hashmi began her career in the film Hum Naujawan (1985) at the age of fifteen; she played Dev Anand's daughter in the film. Her first role as an actress was in the Telugu film Coolie No. 1. Her first release in Hindi as a leading lady was Pehla Pehla Pyar which went un-noticed.[2] She came into prominence with her role in Vijaypath (1994) opposite Ajay Devgan for which she received the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. This was followed by many films that did not do well at the box office.

In 1996, Tabu had eight releases. Two films Saajan Chale Sasural and Jeet went on to be hits; both were within the top five films of that year.[3] Her other significant film, Maachis, was critically acclaimed. Her role as a Punjabi woman caught in the rise of Sikh insurgency was acclaimed; she went on to win her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.

Tabu first release of 1997 was Border. The movie was about the real life events surrounding the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. She played the role of Sunny Deol's wife. Her role was small but the film went on to be the biggest hit of 1997.[4] That year, she also starred in the critically acclaimed film Virasat. The film was an average success at the box office; Tabu won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance.

In 1999 she starred in two successful multi-starrer films Biwi No.1 and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United. Both were the first and second biggest hits of that year respectively.[5] In 2000, the actress starred in Hera Pheri and Astitva. The former was a box office success whilst the latter was critically acclaimed.[6] She received her third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for Astitva.[7]


2001 saw her star in Chandni Bar directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. Her portrayal of a bar dancer met with unanimous praise, and she won her second National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance.[8] Critic, Taran Adarsh said, "Chandni Bar is Tabu's film all the way and there are no two opinions on that. Her performance deserves the highest marks and of course, all the awards. Her work is flawless and the impact her character makes on the minds of the viewer is also due to a tailor-made role".[9] Another critic mentioned, "if there is one actress who can carry a film on her shoulders, it is Tabu. As usual, she sparkles".[10]

She has acted in a number of Telugu movies, many of them very successful, such as Coolie No. 1 and Ninne Pelladatha, the latter being one of her most famous and popular movies.[11]

In 2003, Tabu starred in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The actress played Nimmi based on the character Lady Macbeth. The film titled Maqbool was directed by Vishal Bharadwaj and premiered at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival.[12] Maqbool was a box office failure but was met with huge acclaim. Tabu's performance opened to much appreciation; critic Ron Ahluwalia said, "Tabu shines in a dark role. The most versatile actress in Bollywood takes to villainy like a second nature. She is menacing and seductive, but keeps an innocent look on her face, making her even viler. The way Tabu delivers her taunts simply perfect. Her gradual insanity is heart-wrenching and her final outburst is easily the highlight of the film."[13] Another critic said, "Tabu is fantastic in a complex role. Her performance in the film is worthy of awards. After Chandni Bar, this is another role that will be remembered for a long, long time."[14]

She had a supporting role in Fanaa (2006), with Aamir Khan and Kajol. The film went on to become the fourth biggest hit of that year.[15]

In 2007, Tabu starred in her first Hollywood film, The Namesake, directed by Mira Nair. The film was a huge hit overseas.[16] She also starred in Cheeni Kum in which she played a 34 year-old woman who falls in love with a 64 year-old played by Amitabh Bachchan. Critics were generally positive towards the film; Taran Adarsh said, "Tabu stands on her feet despite a formidable co-star's domineering presence. She's excellent."[17] Though the film did not do as well domestically, it was a huge hit overseas especially in UK and USA.[18]

[edit] Personal

Tabu was born in Hyderabad. Soon after, her parents divorced. Her mother was a school teacher and her maternal grandparents were retired professors who ran a school. Her grandfather, Mohammed Ahsan was a Mathematics professor and her grandmother was an English Literature professor. Tabu moved to Mumbai in 1983 and studied at St. Xavier's College for two years.[19] she also went to St. Anns high school in Hyderabad. She is the niece of Shabana Azmi and the younger sister of actress Farha Naaz. She has homes in Mumbai and Hyderabad.[20]

She is the life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy Of Film and Television, Noida.

In 1998, Tabu was charged with poaching two blackbucks in Kankani during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain along with co-stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Neelam.[21] The charges were dropped soon after and Tabu was acquitted.[22]

[edit] Awards

[edit] Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1985 Hum Naujawan Priya
1991 Coolie No. 1 Telugu film
1994 Pehla Pehla Pyaar Sapna
Vijaypath Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award
1995 Prem Lachi/Sonia Jetley
Saajan Ki Baahon Mein Kavita
Sisindri
Haqeeqat Sudha
1996 Saajan Chale Sasural Divya Khurana
Kala Pani Parvathi
Kadhal Desam Divya Tamil film, Winner Filmfare Best Actress Award (Tamil)
Himmat Anju
Tu Chor Main Sipahi Kajal
Jeet Tulsi Special appearance
Ninne Pelladatha Mahalaxmi Telugu film
Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu)
Maachis Veerandra Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress
1997 Virasat Gehna Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance
Darmiyan Chitra
Border Kuldeep's wife
Iruvar Selvam's lover Tamil film
1998 Chachi 420 Janki Paswan
Aavida Maa Aavide Archana Telugu film
Two Thousand One Billu
Hanuman Anja
1999 Kohram: The Explosion Insp. Kiran Patekar
Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United Sadhana
Hu Tu Tu Panna Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance
Biwi No.1 Lovely
Thakshak Suman
2000 Snegithiye ACP Gayatri Tamil film
Cover Story Jasmine
Hera Pheri Anuradha Shivshankar Panikar
Kandukondain Kandukondain Sowmya Tamil film
Tarkieb Roshni Choubey
Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar Kamya Lal
Shikari Suman
Astitva Aditi Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance
Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2001 Ghaath Kavita Chaudhary
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Roshni Batra
Chandni Bar Mumtaz Ali Ansari Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya Meena
2002 Maa Tujhhe Salaam Captain Sonia Khanna
Filhaal... Rewa Singh
Chennakeshava Reddy
Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai Shalu
Saathiya Savatri Rao Cameo
2003 Abar Aranye Amrita
Khanjar: The Knife Shilpa
Hawa Sanjana
Jaal: The Trap Neha Pandit
Maqbool Nimmi
2004 Main Hoon Na Special appearance
Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities Meenaxi/Maria
2005 Silsiilay Rehana
Bhagmati Bhagmati
Andarivaadu Telugu film
2006 Shock Telugu film
Fanaa Malini Tyagi
2007 Sarhad Paar Pammi
The Namesake Ashima Ganguli
Cheeni Kum Nina Verma Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance
Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song Deewangi Deewangi
2008 Pappu Pass Ho Gaya
Idee Sangati Swarajya Lakshmi Telugu film
Jaggubhai Tamil film
Pandurangadu Telugu film

[edit] See also

Awards
Filmfare Award
Preceded by
TBD
Best Debut
for Vijaypath

1995
Succeeded by
Twinkle Khanna
for Barsaat
Preceded by
Manisha Koirala
for Khamoshi: The Musical
Best Actress (Critics)
for Virasat

1998
Succeeded by
Shefali Shah
for Satya
Preceded by
Shefali Shah
for Satya
Best Actress (Critics)
for Hu Tu Tu

2000
Succeeded by
Tabu
for Astitva
Preceded by
Tabu
for Hu Tu Tu
Best Actress (Critics)
for Astitva

2001
Succeeded by
Karisma Kapoor
for Zubeidaa
Preceded by
Kareena Kapoor
for Omkara
Best Actress (Critics)
for Cheeni Kum

2008
Succeeded by
TBD
National Film Award
Preceded by
Seema Biswas
for Bandit Queen
Best Actress
for Maachis

1997
Succeeded by
Indrani Haldar
&
Rituparna Sengupta
for Dahan
Preceded by
Raveena Tandon
for Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence
Best Actress
for Chandni Bar
with
Sobhana
for Mitr - My Friend

2002
Succeeded by
Konkona Sen Sharma
for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer

[edit] References

  1. ^ Banerjee, Arnab (June 5, 2007). Tabu: making understatement an art. hindustantimes.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  2. ^ Dhawan, M.L. (April 15, 2001). She wows with her acting prowess. rediff.com. Retrieved on October 13, 2007.
  3. ^ Box Office Results 1996. BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  4. ^ Box Office Results 1997. BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  5. ^ Box Office Results 1999. BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  6. ^ Box Office Results 2000. BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  7. ^ Filmfare Awards 2000. Filmfare. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  8. ^ Rediff Entertainment Bureau (July 26, 2002). Tabu, Shobhana share National Award for Best Actress. rediff.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  9. ^ Adarsh, Taran (September 25, 2001). Chandni Bar review from indiafm.com. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  10. ^ Kumar, Salil (September 27, 2001). Chandni Bar review from rediff.com. rediff.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  11. ^ Yuva Samrat's First Silver Jubilee Hit Ninne Pelladatha. cinegoer.com (March 31, 2001). Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  12. ^ Maqbool premieres at Toronto International Film Festival. Videovision.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  13. ^ Ahluwalia, Ron (January 30, 2004). Tabu: She is menacing and seductive. planetbollywood.com]. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  14. ^ Adrash, Taran (January 30, 2004). Review of Maqbool from indiafm.com. Indiafm.com]. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  15. ^ Box Office Results 2006. BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  16. ^ Tuteja, Joginder (March 23, 2007). The Namesake earns third 1 crore plus week. glamsham.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  17. ^ Adarsh, Taran (May 25, 2007). Cheeni Kum review from indiafm.com. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  18. ^ Adarsh, Taran (May 30, 2007). Overseas box office report: May 30, 2007. Indiafm.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  19. ^ Martyris, Nina (April 26, 2003). When dosa was a luxury. Times of India. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  20. ^ Bhatt, Rajeev (March 9, 2007). Tabu: As she likes it!. Hinduonnet.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  21. ^ Special Correspondent (August 25, 2007). Blackbuck case: Tabu, Salman, Saif charged with poaching. hindi.com. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
  22. ^ Pillai, Pai (September 1, 2007). Salman Khan expresses faith in judiciary. news.sawf.org. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.

[edit] External links