Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
Tabbu,born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, in Hyderabad has been one of the most talented actresses of Hindi , Telugu & Tamil films .The actress is known to have played unusual roles in some films & successfully,too. Her two National & 6 filmfare Awards are indicative enough of her histrionics as an actress of class.
Tabu began her career with Dev Anand’s “Hum Naujawan” (1985) when she was barely 15. She plays his daughter in the film. Her first role as an actress was in K. Raghavendra Rao’s directed Telugu film “Coolie No. 1” (1991). I came to know about the actress when I visited Boota Singh Shaad, an eminent Punjabi writer & filmmaker in 1990. He spoke very high of her and opined that she could be the next Madhuri Dixit. I had earlier met and interviewed her sister Farha in 1990 & 1992 respectively.
Tabu worked with Ajay Devgan in “Vijaypath” (1994)also starring Danny,Reema Lagoo and Gulshan Grover.It was a successful movie with some hit numbers like” “Ruk Ruk Ruk Arre Baba Ruk” & “Raah Mein Unse Mulaqat Ho Gai, Jise Darate The Wohi Baat Ho Gai” to mention . Gulzar’s “Maachis”(1996) came to her like a shot in the arm ,also featuring Chandrachur Singh, Om Puri, and Jimmy Sheirgill ,a political thriller sort of.The film showed the rise of terrorism in Punjab lasting more than a decade.Tabu was bestowed with the Best Actress National Award for her performance in the film.”Chapa Chapa Charkha Chale” became hit.The film’s success can be gauged by the fact that it won 2 National and 4 Filmfare Awards in different categories.
J P Dutta’s “Border” & “Chachi 420” (1997) also turned out to be gold mines for the actress making her rub shoulders with the leading actresses. Dutta’s “Border” won 4 Filmfare & 3 National Film Awards. “Chandni Bar” (2001) added another feather in her cap. She was bestowed with another National Award for Best Actress. Atul Kulkarni & Ananya Khare won Best Supporting Actor & Actress Award respectively.
“Drishyam” ( 2015 ) starring Ajay Devgan & Shariya Saran was another of her hits. My younger brother, Amarpal Noorpuri was invited to interview the star cast at Hotel Sun-N-Sand .He lead the team from the East Punjab territory.
Her other mentionable films include the likes of – Biwi No.1, Kohram, Astitva, Ghaath, Maa Tujhhe Salaam & Fanaa. She also appeared in a Web Series” A Suitable Boy” (2020). The otherwise successful actress, surprisingly, missed the bus on marital front. The actress is also one of my timeline friends.
Born this day in 1970 .
