Tabu her real name Tabassum Hashmi.She was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, on November 4- 1972. Tabu was discovered by Dev Anand, who gave her a role in ‘Hum Naujawan’ when she was 10. The legendary Dev had predicted that Tabu would leave an indelible mark with her acting in future.
Tabassum "Tabu" Hashmi began her career in the film Hum Naujawan (1985) at the age of fifteen; she played Dev Anand's daughter in the film. Her first role as an actress was in the Telugu film Coolie No. 1. In December 1987, Boney Kapoor launch two Big Films, Roop Ki Rani Choro Raja and Prem. In Prem, Tabu was signed opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The film took eight years in making.
Tabu once jokingly said "I should get a the most waiting newcomer of decade". Her first release in Hindi as a leading lady was Pehla Pehla Pyar which went un-noticed. She came into prominence with her role in Vijaypath (1994) opposite Ajay Devgan for which she received the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. This was followed by many films that did not do well at the box office.
In 2007, She starred in her first Hollywood film, The Name sake, directed by Mira Nair. The film was a big hit overseas. She also starred in Cheeni Kum in which she played a 34 year-old woman who falls in love with a 64 year-old played by Amitabh Bachchan. Critics were generally positive towards the film; Taran Adarsh said, "Tabu stands on her feet despite a formidable co-star's domineering presence. She's excellent." Though the film did not do as well domestically, it performed well overseas, especially in UK and USA.
Tabu has mainly acted in Hindi films. she has also starred in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali films, as well as one American film. She has won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, and she holds the record for the most wins of Filmfare's Critics Award for Best Female Performer, with four. Despite a few exceptions, Tabu is best-known for acting in artistic, low-budget films that go on to garner more critical appreciation than substantial box office figures.
She had also done a commendable job in a south Indian hit Kandukondain. In 2006, she starred for a small duration alongside Kajol and Aamir Khan in Kunal Kohli's, Fanaa, playing the role of a ‘tough cop’ fighting militants.
