Actress · Music Department

Tabu

Indian actress

Born November 4, 1971 · Hyderabad, Telangana, India

54 years old5′ 6¾″ (1.70 m)Active 1985–presentIndian

Biography

Tabu is an acclaimed Indian actress known for her powerful performances in Hindi cinema and films across several Indian languages. Born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi on November 4, 1971, in Hyderabad, she began acting as a teenager and gradually established herself as one of the most respected performers in Indian cinema.
Her early screen appearance came in Hum Naujawan (1985), followed by her leading role in the Telugu film Coolie No. 1 (1991). She gained wider recognition through films such as Vijaypath (1994), Maachis (1996) and Virasat (1997). Her performances in Hu Tu Tu (1999), Astitva (2000), Chandni Bar (2001) and Maqbool (2003) further demonstrated her ability to portray emotionally complex characters.
Tabu has also appeared in international productions, including The Namesake (2006) and Life of Pi (2012). She later earned praise for her roles in Haider (2014), Drishyam (2015) and Andhadhun (2018).
Throughout her career, Tabu has received numerous honours, including two National Film Awards for Best Actress and the Padma Shri in 2011. Her versatility, thoughtful role selection and memorable performances have made her a prominent figure in Indian cinema.

Notable works

Maachis1996Virasat1997Hu Tu Tu1999Astitva2000Chandni Bar2001Maqbool2003The Namesake2006Cheeni Kum2007Life of Pi2012Haider2014Drishyam2015Andhadhun2018Bhool Bhulaiyaa 22022Crew2024Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha2024

Awards & honours

45 wins and 96 nominations
Filmfare AwardBest Female Debut for Vijaypath — 1995 — Winner
National Film AwardBest Actress for Maachis — 1997 — Winner
Filmfare Award (Critics)Best Actress for Virasat — 1998 — Winner
Smita Patil Memorial AwardBest Actress — 1998 — Winner
Filmfare Award (CriticsBest Actress for Hu Tu Tu — 2000 — Winner
Maharashtra State Film AwardBest Actress for Astitva — 2000 — Winner
Filmfare Award (Critics)Best Actress for Astitva — 2001 — Winner
Zee Cine AwardBest Actor (Female) for Astitva — 2001 — Winner
Zee Cine AwardBest Actor (Female) for Chandni Bar — 2002 — Winner
National Film AwardBest Actress for Chandni Bar — 2003 — Winner
Filmfare Award (Critics)Best Actress for Cheeni Kum — 2008 — Winner
Padma ShriContribution to the Arts — 2011 — Honoured
Filmfare AwardBest Supporting Actress for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Screen AwardBest Supporting Actress for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Screen AwardJodi No. 1 for Haider (with Shahid Kapoor) — 2015 — Winner
Stardust AwardBest Supporting Actress for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Jagran Film Festival AwardBest Supporting Actress for Haider — 2015 — Winner
IIFA AwardBest Supporting Actress for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Bollywood Hungama Surfers' Choice Movie AwardBest Actress in a Supporting Role for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Producers Guild Film AwardBest Actress in a Supporting Role for Haider — 2015 — Winner
Filmfare Award SouthBest Actress (Telugu) for Ninne Pelladatha — 1997 — Winner
Filmfare Award SouthBest Supporting Actress (Telugu) for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — 2022 — Winner
Filmfare Award (Critics)Best Actress for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 — 2023 — Winner
Bengal Film Journalists' Association AwardBest Actress (Hindi) for Maachis — 1997 — Winner
Bengal Film Journalists' Association AwardBest Actress (Hindi) for Chandni Bar — 2002 — Winner
Bengal Film Journalists' Association AwardBest Supporting Actress for Abar Aranye — 2004 — Winner
Bollywood Movie AwardBest Supporting Actress for Biwi No. 1 — 2000 — Winner
Bollywood Movie AwardBest Actress (Critics) for Astitva — 2001 — Winner
Bollywood Movie AwardMost Sensational Actress for Astitva — 2001 — Winner
Alliance of Women Film Journalists AwardBest Seduction for The Namesake (shared with Irrfan Khan) — 2007 — Winner
International Indian Film Academy AwardBest Actress for Chandni Bar — 2002 — Winner
Asiavision AwardOutstanding Performance for Drishyam — 2015 — Winner
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne AwardBest Actress for Andhadhun — 2019 — Winner
Zee Cine AwardBest Performance in a Negative Role for Andhadhun — 2019 — Winner
Femina Beauty AwardCreative Icon of the Decade — 2019 — Winner
South Indian International Movie AwardBest Supporting Actress (Telugu) for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — 2021 — Winner
IWM Digital Award (Jury)Best Actress in a Digital Film for Khufiya — 2024 — Winner
Yellowstone International Film Festival AwardBest Actress (Feature Film) for Khufiya — 2023 — Winner
Star Eminence AwardBest Actress for Khufiya — 2023 — Winner
International Iconic AwardMost Popular Actress for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 — 2023 — Winner

Family

JHJamal HashmiParent · Father

RNRezvanah NaazParent · Mother

FNFarah NaazSibling · Sister

Shabana AzmiRelative · Aunt

TATanvi AzmiRelative · Aunt

BABaba AzmiRelative · Uncle

FFilmmather EditorialUpdated Oct 28, 2026

TabuIndian actress

Born: November 4, 1971 (age 54 years)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Full name: Tabassum Fatima Hashmi
Also known as: Tabu, Tabassum Hashmi
Height: 5′ 6¾″ (1.70 m)
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Actress, Music Department
Years active: 1985–present
Parents: Jamal Hashmi (Father)
Rezvanah Naaz (Mother)
Siblings: Farah Naaz (Sister)
Relatives: Shabana Azmi (Aunt)
Tanvi Azmi (Aunt)
Baba Azmi (Uncle)
Education: School (St. Ann's High School, Vijayanagar Colony, Hyderabad)
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai (She studied for two years (1983–1985) at St. Xavier's College before leaving her formal higher studies incomplete to pursue a full-time acting career)
Net worth: Approximately $2.6 million USD
Residence: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India