Tabu: A Celebrated Career Spanning Three Decades Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, known professionally as Tabu, is a highly accomplished Indian actress primarily known for her work in Hindi cinema. Born on November 4, 1971, she has also starred in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, English, and Bengali films. Her career, spanning over three decades, is marked by a diverse range of roles, often portraying complex and troubled women in both mainstream and art-house films. Tabu's career began with a minor role in Hum Naujawan (1985). Her breakthrough came with the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for Vijaypath (1994). She received national recognition with her powerful performance in Maachis (1996), earning her the first of two National Film Awards for Best Actress. This was followed by a series of commercially successful films including Border, Biwi No. 1, and Hum Saath-Saath Hain. Her versatility shone through in critically acclaimed performances in films such as Virasat, Hu Tu Tu, and Astitva, earning her multiple Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actress. Her portrayal of a bar dancer in Chandni Bar (2001) won her a second National Film Award. Further accolades include her work in Maqbool, Haider, and Cheeni Kum, showcasing her range from Shakespearean tragedy to romantic comedy. More recently, Tabu has continued to deliver compelling performances in successful films like Golmaal Again, Andhadhun, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Drishyam 2, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, and Crew, solidifying her position as one of Indian cinema's leading actresses. Her contributions have been recognized with the Padma Shri in 2011, India's fourth highest civilian award. Her filmography demonstrates a remarkable career built on exceptional acting prowess and diverse character portrayals.
