Tabu, a highly versatile actress in the Indian cinema industry, gained recognition for her roles in films such as Maachis (1996), Virasat (1997), and Astitva (2000). The Padma Sri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, was given to the two-time National honor winner actress in 2011 in recognition of her contributions to Indian cinema.

Tabu Birth and Education:

On November 4^th, 1971, Tabassum Hashmi [Tabu] was born in Hyderabad, Telangana, to Jamal and Rizwana Hashmi. Tabu was reared by her mother and her maternal grandparents following the divorce of her parents. After completing her elementary school at Hyderabad's St. Anns High School, she relocated to Mumbai in 1983 to attend St. Xavier's College for her advanced study. Tabu is the niece of film director Baba Azmi and seasoned actress Shabana Azmi. Tabu's older sister is Farah Naaz, an actress best known for roles in movies like Begunaah and Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri.

Tabu Movie Career:

At the age of ten, Tabu made a brief appearance in the 1982 Bollywood film Bazaar, marking her acting debut. Fourteen years later, she portrayed Dev Anand's daughter in the Bollywood drama Hum Naujawan. In 1991, she starred alongside Venkatesh in the Telugu film Coolie No.1, which marked her  first major role as an actor. At the box office, the movie was a success. With Rishi Kapoor, Tabu made her Bollywood debut in the movie Pehla Pehla Pyaar. The movie wasn't a hit.

She had a string of failures in her early career before being thrust into the spotlight for her part in the 1994 movie Vijaypath. She received much-needed recognition for her role alongside Ajay Devgn in the movie, for which she was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

She was praised by critics for her dual performance in the horror comedy sequel Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, which was directed by Kartik Aaryan. This was her first release of 2022. Later that year, she reprised her role in the sequel Drishyam 2, directed by Abhishek Pathak. 2023 saw Tabu portray a government official thrice in Kuttey, Bholaa and Khufiya.

Tabu Controversy:

While filming Hum Saath Saath Hain with co-stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam Kothari in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, Tabu was accused in 1998 of poaching two blackbucks from the fringes of Kankani village.Reference 161 A lower court brought charges against her and the others based on the IPC and the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Tabu Personal Life:

Tabu chose to stay single rather than get married like most of her peers, her personal life has been the focus of extensive media conjecture. She has also chosen to remain silent when questioned about her decision. Tabu stated that she "was working and wanted to see the world on my own" in response to a question regarding her choice.