Tabu’s Six Most Fearless And Unconventional Roles

Tabu, one of the most versatile and powerful actresses in the Indian film industry, has amassed a strong fanbase over her unmatched screen presence and powerful performances. From essaying a comic role in Hera Pheri to stepping into the shoes of a tough cop in Drishyam, Tabu has time and again brought versatility to her roles. As the actress turned a year older on November 4, here is a look at some of her most iconic and unconventional performances.

Chandni Bar (2001)

One of Tabu’s earliest and most impactful roles came with this Madhur Bhandarkar directorial. Tabu played Mumtaz, a displaced woman forced into life as a bar dancer after her family is killed in riots. Her raw, emotional, and deeply moving portrayal of resilience and tragic survival against the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld won her the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress.

Maqbool (2003)

Vishal Bhardwaj found his definitive Lady Macbeth in Tabu for this Shakespeare adaptation of Macbeth. As Nimmi, the mistress of an underworld don, Tabu’s performance was seductive, manipulative, and chillingly vulnerable. Despite sharing the screen with legends like Pankaj Kapur and the late Irrfan Khan, Tabu’s portrayal stood tall and was crucial to the film’s international acclaim.

Haider (2014)

In another Vishal Bhardwaj masterpiece, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Tabu was seen as Ghazala, a woman torn between love, guilt, and the quest for survival in conflict-ridden Kashmir. Ghazala is one of Tabu’s most complex characters, who seamlessly brought layers of emotion to the screen, garnering widespread applause and cementing her reputation as an actress willing to embrace deeply ambiguous roles.

Andhadhun (2018)

As the lead antagonist, the mysterious Simi, Tabu delivered one of the most unpredictable performances of her career. The black comedy/thriller focuses on a pianist who fakes blindness but witnesses a murder committed by Simi and her boyfriend. Tabu’s effortless shift between calculated malice and deceptive charm made Simi one of Bollywood’s most memorable and darkly comical villains.

Drishyam (2015)

Tabu earned massive praise for her performance as the tough, headstrong, and brilliant police officer, Meera Deshmukh.She efficiently portrayed a seasoned professional determined to solve a complex case, while simultaneously conveying the desperation of a mother seeking justice for her missing son. Meera exuded intelligence, patience, and an unwavering pursuit of the truth, making the character far more layered than a standard police role.

Hera Pheri (2000)

While not “unconventional” in a dramatic sense, her brief yet memorable role as Anuradha Shivshankar Panikar demonstrated her versatility in a cult comedy. Her sincere portrayal provided a much-needed emotional anchor in the slapstick narrative and showcased her ability to excel even in lighter, commercial cinema. (ANI)