Tabu (actress)

Infobox actor
name = Tabu

---

imagesize =
caption = Tabu
birthname = Tabassum Hashmi
birthdate = birth date and age|1970|11|4
location = Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
yearsactive = 1985, 1991 - present
spouse = None
occupation = Actress
filmfareawards= Best Actress (Critics)
1998 "Virasat"
2000 "Hu Tu Tu"
2001 "Astitva"
2008 "Cheeni Kum
Best Actress (Tamil)
1997 "Kadhal Desam"
Best Female Debut
1995 "Vijaypath"
nationalfilmawards=Best Actress
1997 "Maachis"
2002 "Chandni Bar"

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), "" (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." [cite web|author=Banerjee, Arnab|title=Tabu: making understatement an art|date=June 5, 2007|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e051d411-7392-4d2c-aacc-e260846c5317&MatchID1=4578&TeamID1=7&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1148&PrimaryID=4578&Headline=Tabu%3a+making+understatement+an+art|publisher=hindustantimes.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

Early life

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. she also went to St. Anns high school in Hyderabad. Tabu moved to Mumbai in 1983 and studied at St. Xavier's College for two years. [cite web|author=Martyris, Nina|title=When dosa was a luxury|date=April 26, 2003|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/44588861.cms|publisher=Times of India|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

She is the niece of Shabana Azmi and the younger sister of actress Farha Naaz. She has homes in Mumbai and Hyderabad. [cite web|author=Bhatt, Rajeev|title=Tabu: As she likes it!|date=March 9, 2007|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/09/stories/2006030900400100.htm|publisher=Hinduonnet.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web|author=Dhawan, M.L.|title=She wows with her acting prowess|date=April 15, 2001|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010415/spectrum/main3.htm|publisher=rediff.com|accessdate=October 13|accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web|title=Box Office Results 1996|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1996.htm|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] 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. [cite web|title=Box Office Results 1997|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1997.htm|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] 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 "". Both were the first and second biggest hits of that year respectively. [cite web|title=Box Office Results 1999|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/1999.htm|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] In 2000, the actress starred in "Hera Pheri" and "Astitva". The former was a box office success whilst the latter was critically acclaimed. [cite web|title=Box Office Results 2000|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2000.htm|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] She received her third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance for "Astitva". [cite web|title=Filmfare Awards 2000|url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368708.cms|publisher=Filmfare|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web|author=Rediff Entertainment Bureau|title=Tabu, Shobhana share National Award for Best Actress|date=July 26, 2002|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/26tabu.htm|publisher=rediff.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] 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". [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Chandni Bar review from indiafm.com|date=September 25, 2001|url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/6726/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] Another critic mentioned, "if there is one actress who can carry a film on her shoulders, it is Tabu. As usual, she sparkles". [cite web|author=Kumar, Salil|title=Chandni Bar review from rediff.com|date=September 27, 2001|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/sep/27bar.htm|publisher=rediff.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web|author=|title=Yuva Samrat's First Silver Jubilee Hit Ninne Pelladatha|date=March 31, 2001|url=http://www.cinegoer.com/ninnepelladatha.htm|publisher=cinegoer.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web|title=Maqbool premieres at Toronto International Film Festival|url=http://www.videovision.co.za/Press/press50.html|publisher=Videovision.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] "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." [cite web|author=Ahluwalia, Ron|title=Tabu: She is menacing and seductive|date=January 30, 2004|url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/Maqbool/|publisher=planetbollywood.com] |accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] 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." [cite web|author=Adrash, Taran|title=Review of Maqbool from indiafm.com|date=January 30, 2004|url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/7101/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com] |accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

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. [cite web|title=Box Office Results 2006|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/2006.htm|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

In 2007, Tabu starred in her first Hollywood film, "The Namesake", directed by Mira Nair. The film was a huge hit overseas. [cite web|author=Tuteja, Joginder|title=The Namesake earns third 1 crore plus week|date=March 23, 2007|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07/apr/18_the_namesake_mira_nair.asp|publisher=glamsham.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] 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." [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Cheeni Kum review from indiafm.com|date=May 25, 2007|url=http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12845/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] Though the film did not do as well domestically, it was a huge hit overseas especially in UK and USA. [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Overseas box office report: May 30, 2007|date=May 30, 2007|url=http://www.indiafm.com/trade/overseas_boxoffice/160.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

Personal

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. [cite web|author=Special Correspondent|title=Blackbuck case: Tabu, Salman, Saif charged with poaching|date=August 25, 2007|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/25/stories/2007082557720100.htm|publisher=hindi.com|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007] The charges were dropped soon after and Tabu was acquitted. [cite web|author=Pillai, Pai|title=Salman Khan expresses faith in judiciary|date=September 1, 2007|url=http://news.sawf.org/Bollywood/41716.aspx|publisher=news.sawf.org|accessdate=October 10|accessyear=2007]

Awards

Filmography

ee also

*List of Indian movie actresses
-! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;" | Filmfare Award
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-! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;" | National Film Award
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References

External links

*imdb name|id=0007102|name=Tabu