Ahead Of ‘Khufiya’ Release, Let Us Celebrate Some Path-Breaking On-Screen Performances Of Tabu

In an entertainment industry—where female artists were earlier expected to play nominal roles, often seen prancing around—Tabu was determined to carve out her own niche over the years with her nuanced performances.

Celebrated as one of the finest artists in the Indian film industry—Tabu boasts an exceptional body of work under her belt. The versatile actress has proved her mettle as an on-screen performer through her brilliant range in various genres and across different languages. Tabu is frequently cast in films and series to add weight and to lure the audience.

Having played a plethora of unconventional roles, Tabu stands out for her excellence. Every time she is cast in a film or series, she graces the screen with her enigmatic aura. From the beginning of her acting career, Tabu has been praised by critics for embracing strong-layered characters— and watching her on screen has always been a treat for the audience. So, let us take a look at some of her path-breaking performances.

Maachis (1996)

Maachis is a thriller drama that depicts the aftermath of a violent political turmoil—and Tabu plays the role of an unassuming woman named Veeran, whose life suddenly takes a tragic turn when Kripal Singh (played by Chandrachur Singh), her fiance—gets associated with an extremist group prior to the forceful arrest and torture of his innocent friend. Tabu’s outstanding performance in this film helped her bag her first National Award.

Maqbool (2003)

This Vishal Bhardwaj directorial has been adapted from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In Maqbool, Tabu plays Nimmi—the secret lover of Maqbool (Irrfan Khan)—the lead character. She plays a manipulative and brave woman—trapped in a moral quandary and has to choose between her commitment to her husband and her fondness for Maqbool. Tabu’s performance was lauded by critics and the audience alike.

Astitva (2000)

Another memorable stand-out performance from the actress’ sterling career is Astitva—a celebrated drama—simultaneously filmed in Marathi and Hindi. Tabu bagged multiple accolades in the category of Best Actress for her excellent portrayal of a woman with a secret past that eventually gets exposed. Her masterful, taboo-busting acting set over different eras was mind blowing.

Chandni Bar (2001)

Tabu was rewarded with her second National Award for Best Actress—for her spectacular portrayal of a woman who works in a dance bar but gets trapped in a notorious criminal web. Her transformation from an innocent to a sensuous and sly woman caught up in a dark world was drool-worthy. This film set the stage for her influential turn in the film industry that would later inspire a generation of leading female artists to embrace similar characters.

The Namesake (2006)

Tabu left a long-lasting mark with her Hollywood debut—Namesake. She plays the role of a first-generation immigrant who relocates to America after her marriage. The couple are excited to begin a new life. Tabu employed the ‘less is more’ technique to put forth an admirably restrained performance—adding the stature of a young woman—shifting from her tranquil innocence to facing major challenges in a foreign country. Both Tabu and her co-star Irrfan Khan—offer an emotional depth to the film.

Drishyam (2015)

Very few actresses could pull off this role in Drishyam—the Bollywood adaptation of the Malayalam film. Tabu added gravity to the film with her splendid portrayal of a stern cop—investigating the murder of her son and fighting against an equally intimidating opponent, Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn). She reprised her role in the film’s sequel and delivered a fantastic performance once again.

Tabu is best known for adding life to complex characters. The actress has been spoiling us with her affluent work for almost three decades, yet she clads her eminence lightly.