Tabu (Actress)

Tabu is regarded as one of the most accomplished actresses in Hindi cinema, known for portraying troubled women in both mainstream and independent films. She began her career with a credited role as a teenager in Dev Anand's Hum Naujawan (1985) and later played her first leading role in the Telugu film Coolie No. 1 (1991). Her debut in Hindi cinema came with Vijaypath (1994), which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. In 1996, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the political thriller Maachis, and she also had commercial successes in films like Ninne Pelladata, Kadhal Desam, and Jeet that year. Her box-office hits continued with Iruvar, Border (1997), Biwi No.1, Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), and Hera Pheri (2000).

Tabu's critical acclaim grew with her performances in Virasat (1997), Hu Tu Tu (1999), Astitva (2000), and particularly Chandni Bar (2001), which earned her a second National Film Award. She also received a record four Filmfare Critics Awards for Best Actress, including for Cheeni Kum (2007). She appeared in Vishal Bhardwaj's Shakespearean adaptations Maqbool (2004) and Haider (2014), the latter bringing her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her work in international cinema includes The Namesake (2006) and Life of Pi (2012). In recent years, she has been part of major commercial successes such as Golmaal Again (2017), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), Crew (2024), and the crime thriller Andhadhun (2018). Her honors include the Padma Shri in 2011, two National Film Awards, and seven Filmfare Awards.