Tabu Birthday 2023: The actress on her ties to Bollywood: I came here by accident

In an exclusive conversation with Mid-day.com, Tabu revealed her inside connection to Bollywood. Read more to find out

Tabassum Fatima Hashmi aka Tabu is credited with being one of the finest actors in Bollywood. She started her journey in the film industry as a mere child and has since enjoyed many successful decades establishing herself as one of the best actors in the industry.

In an exclusive 'Sit With Hitlist' interview with Mid-day.com, Tabu spoke about her unconventional journey in Bollywood. The ‘Andhadhun’ actress delved deep into her family roots and experiences to paint a picture of how she earned the monicker of ‘one of the greats’ Tabu's foray into Bollywood may appear unconventional at first glance but as Tabu shares, there were hidden connections that led her to the big screen. But, is Tabu an insider or outsider in Bollywood? 

Tabu revealed that Goldie Anand, or as some knew him, Vijay, was her mother's friend. Goldie was an Indian filmmaker, producer, writer, and actor who wore many hats. He was known for his acclaimed films like Guide, Teesri Manzil, and more. Goldie Anand's wife, Sushma, played a significant role in connecting Tabu to the industry. Tabu also disclosed that Shabana Azmi is her mother's first cousin.

Although Tabu was connected to the industry, her entry into it, though influenced by family connections was anything but planned. She expressed, "Yeah but I think the impression is of an outsider because I never intend to be in the movies." Her initial encounter with Bollywood was, in her words, "by accident or by circumstance."

Tabu's journey into acting started as a child artist when she worked with the legendary Dev Anand in the film 'Hum Naujawan' in 1985. She recounted how her sister played a role in her journey. She said, "My sister was with me when I went to do a screen test at Dev saab's office." An intriguing connection was revealed; Shekhar Kapoor, who later developed an interest in Tabu, is, in fact, Dev Anand's nephew. Shekhar saw Tabu's potential and convinced everyone that she should be an actress. This eventually led to her debut in the film 'Prem'. However, Shekhar Kapoor soon left the project after casting her, leaving Tabu confused about the sudden turn of events.

Tabu's disappointment with Shekhar Kapoor's exit was palpable as she mentioned, "I was very, very, very upset. Very upset. I think that’s why he’s not meeting me. Yeah so that’s what happened, and that’s how it started." Despite this setback, her career took off with the release of 'Prem' and 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja,' marking the big movie launch of the decade.

As Tabu talked about her special journey, it became clear that she had strong ties to Bollywood that go beyond what one might think. 

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