---
name: "Tabu"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tabu"
fi1m_id: "tabu"
imdb_id: "nm0007102"
tmdb_id: 55062
wikidata_id: "Q158233"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 November 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-23T21:16:30.638779+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Tabu

## Identity

Tabu

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tabu
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** tabu
- **IMDb ID:** nm0007102
- **TMDB ID:** 55062
- **Wikidata ID:** Q158233
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabu_(actress), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158233, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007102/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55062

Actor. Born 4 November 1971 in Hyderabad, India.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 November 1971, Hyderabad, India
- **Active:** 2012–present
- **Also known as:** Tabu Hashmi, Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, தபஷ்ஷும் ஃபாதிமா ஹஷ்மி, Табасум Хашми
- **Frequently works with:** [Abhishek Pathak](https://film.one/person/abhishek-pathak.md), [Ajay Devgn](https://film.one/person/ajay-devgn.md), [Kumar Mangat Pathak](https://film.one/person/kumar-mangat-pathak.md), [Shriya Saran](https://film.one/person/shriya-saran.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabu_(actress), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158233, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007102/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55062

## Coming up

- *King 100* (2026-12-24)

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Life of Pi*](https://film.one/film/life-of-pi.md) (78)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Tabu

> Tabu makes determined women difficult to dismiss, even when we would rather they gave way. Her restraint works particularly well in thrillers, where she can make us uneasy about whose side we have taken.

In the interrogation scenes of *Drishyam* (2015), a carefully prepared account has to survive Tabu asking questions. She plays IG Meera Deshmukh with enough determination to make us doubt how safely Ajay Devgn’s Vijay can rely on his ingenuity. That pressure is essential to a thriller which spends so much time on the cover-up. We felt uneasy about wanting Vijay to get away with it, because her questioning made our allegiance harder to excuse. She gives us a reason to worry whenever the plotting threatens to make him too secure.

Her early commercial work gave way to more selective choices from the mid-1990s, across independent and mainstream films. *Chandni Bar* (2001) put a woman in difficult circumstances at the centre; *Maqbool* (2003) offered another departure from the conventional heroine. Vishal Bhardwaj, her director on *Maqbool* and *Haider* (2014), has been an important collaborator in that work. Both films are Shakespeare adaptations, with roles that suit her restrained intensity. The later thrillers *Drishyam* and *Andhadhun* (2018) sit alongside continued work in more broadly commercial films.

In *Drishyam*, there are limits to what that conviction can achieve. The writing sometimes makes its points about justice and corruption too simply, leaving the actors with less to work through than the premise promises. Tabu keeps the police a serious obstacle, but the film’s length remains a problem even when the central contest holds our attention. Her scenes with Devgn make it worth the patience; they do not make a brisk police procedural out of it.

She is also good for Devgn, whose character’s resourcefulness needs a credible opponent if we are to admire it. That is useful acting in a tightly plotted thriller, where it would be easy to turn everyone around the protagonist into a fool. Tabu keeps the questions difficult enough for the answers to matter. Choose *Drishyam* for an evening when following a slowly tested alibi sounds like pleasure rather than homework.

## Biography

Tabu is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films and has appeared in productions in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and English. Born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi on 4 November 1971 in Hyderabad, she began acting as a teenager with a role in *Hum Naujawan* (1985) and made her Hindi debut in *Vijaypath* (1994).

She is known for her performances as IG Meera Deshmukh in *Drishyam* (2015) and Simi Sinha in *Andhadhun* (2018). Other credits include *Life of Pi* (2012), *Haider* (2014) and *Dune: Prophecy* (2024). Tabu has received two National Film Awards for Best Actress, multiple Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri in 2011.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Drishyam* (2015), Fi1m 74, as IG Meera Deshmukh — [page](https://film.one/film/drishyam.md)
- *Life of Pi* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Gita Patel — [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-pi.md)

## Complete filmography (99)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *King 100* (2026), Actor
- *Drishyam: The Conclusion* (2026), as Meera Deshmukh — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/drishyam-the-conclusion.md)
- *Bhooth Bangla* (2026), as Yashoda
- *Dune: Prophecy* (2024), series, as Sister Francesca
- *Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha* (2024), as Vasudha
- *Crew* (2024), as Geeta Sethi
- *Khufiya* (2023), as Krishna "KM" Mehra
- *Bholaa* (2023), as IPS Diana Joseph
- *Kuttey* (2023), as Pammi/Poonam Sandhu
- *Drishyam 2* (2022), as Meera Deshmukh
- *Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2* (2022), as Manjulika/Anjulika
- *A Suitable Boy* (2020), series, as Saeeda Bai
- *Jawaani Jaaneman* (2020), as Ananya
- *Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo* (2020), as Yasu
- *Bharat* (2019), as Meher
- *De De Pyaar De* (2019), as Manjana "Manju" Rao
- *Andhadhun* (2018), as Simi Sinha
- *Missing* (2018), as Aparna Dubey a.k.a. Mrs. Dubey
- *Golmaal Again* (2017), as Anna Mathew
- *Fitoor* (2016), as Begum Hazrat Jaan
- *Talvar* (2015), as Reema Kumar
- *Drishyam* (2015), as IG Meera Deshmukh — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/drishyam.md)
- *Haider* (2014), as Ghazala Meer
- *Jai Ho* (2014), as Geeta Agnihotri
- *David* (2013), as Frenny
- *Life of Pi* (2012), as Gita Patel — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/life-of-pi.md)
- *Urumi* (2011), as Special appearance in the song "Aaranne Aarane"
- *Khuda Kasam* (2010), as Neetu Singh
- *Toh Baat Pakki!* (2010), as Rajeshwari
- *Raja Leelai* (2010), Actor
- *Pandurangadu* (2008), as Amrita
- *Idhi Sangathi* (2008), as Swarajyalakshmi
- *Cheeni Kum* (2007), as Nina Verma
- *Sarhad Paar* (2006), as Pammi
- *The Namesake* (2006), as Ashima Ganguli
- *Phir Hera Pheri* (2006), as Anuradaha (archive footage)
- *Fanaa* (2006), as Dr. Malini Tyagi
- *Shock* (2006), as Geeta
- *Bhagmati – The Queen of Fortunes* (2005), as Shivaranjani/Bhagmati
- *Silsiilay* (2005), as Rehana
- *Andarivaadu* (2005), as Shanthi
- *Main Hoon Na* (2004), as Special Appearance
- *Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities* (2004), as Meenaxi / Tanu / Maria Zarkova
- *Jaal: The Trap* (2003), as Neha Pandit/Nusrat Rabbani
- *Hawa* (2003), as Sanjana
- *Khanjar (The Knife)* (2003), as Shilpa
- *In the Forest... Again* (2003), Actor
- *Maqbool* (2003), as Nimmi
- *Saathiya* (2002), as Savitri Rao
- *Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai* (2002), as Shalu
- *Chennakesava Reddy* (2002), as Seeta
- *Filhaal...* (2002), Actor
- *Maa Tujhhe Salaam* (2002), as Captain Sonia Khanna
- *Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya* (2001), as Meena
- *Chandni Bar* (2001), as Mumtaz P. Sawant
- *Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya* (2001), as Roshni Batra
- *Cover Story* (2001), as Jasmine Khan
- *Ghaath* (2000), as Kavita Chaudhary
- *Snegithiye* (2000), as ACP Gayathri
- *Astitva* (2000), as Aditi Pandit
- *Shikari* (2000), Actor
- *Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!!* (2000), as Kamya Lal
- *Tarkieb* (2000), Actor
- *Kandukondain Kandukondain* (2000), as Sowmya
- *Hera Pheri* (2000), as Anuradha Shivshankar Panikar
- *Thakshak* (1999), as Suman Dev
- *Hum Saath Saath Hain* (1999), as Sadhna Sharma Chaturvedi
- *Kohram* (1999), as Insp. Kiran Patekar
- *Biwi No.1* (1999), as Lovely Khuranna
- *Hu Tu Tu* (1999), as Panna Barve
- *Hanuman* (1998), as Anja
- *Thaayin Manikodi* (1998), Actor
- *2001: Do Hazaar Ek* (1998), as Billu
- *Aavida Maa Aavide* (1998), as S. I. Archana
- *Meri Zindagi Ek Agneepath* (1998), as Special Appearance
- *Chachi 420* (1997), as Janki Paswan
- *Border* (1997), as Surinder "Preeti" Kaur Chandpuri
- *Virasat* (1997), as Gehna
- *Iruvar* (1997), as Senthamarai
- *Darmiyaan: In Between* (1997), as Chitra
- *Maachis* (1996), as Virender Kaur a.k.a. Veeran
- *Ninne Pelladatha* (1996), as Mahalakshmi/Pandu
- *Jeet* (1996), as Tulsibai
- *Kadhal Desam* (1996), as Divya
- *Tu Chor Main Sipahi* (1996), as Kajal Singh
- *Saajan Chale Sasural* (1996), as Divya
- *Kaalapani* (1996), as Parvathi
- *Himmat* (1996), Actor
- *Haqeeqat* (1995), as Sudha Ravi Malhotra
- *Sisindri* (1995), as Tabu
- *Saajan Ki Baahon Mein* (1995), as Kavita
- *Prem* (1995), as Lachi / Sonya Jaitley
- *Vijaypath* (1994), as Mohini "Mona"
- *Pehla Pehla Pyar* (1994), as Sapna
- *Coolie No. 1* (1991), as Ranjani
- *Hum Naujawan* (1985), as Priya
- *Rally Raja*, Actor
- *Slumdog - 33 Temple Road*, as Gauri Hegde
- *Untitled SRK-Suhana-Marflix movie*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-a3f9b2d78940.jpg) Tabu — Verghese TK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Tabu_in_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Drishyam Indian thriller drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat. Actres Tabu permoting his film in pinkcity. (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-7db5b57c7d69.jpg) Drishyam Indian thriller drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat. Actres Tabu permoting his film in pinkcity. (2015) — Sureshsharmaptv63, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Drishyam_actres_Tabu_with_suresh_sharma.JPG/1280px-Drishyam_actres_Tabu_with_suresh_sharma.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Drishyam Indian thriller drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat.lead actors permoting film in pinkcity. (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-5de5bc44e991.jpg) Drishyam Indian thriller drama film directed by Nishikant Kamat.lead actors permoting film in pinkcity. (2015) — Sureshsharmaptv63, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Drishyam_star_cast_with_suresh_sharma.JPG/1280px-Drishyam_star_cast_with_suresh_sharma.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon at Crew trailer launch (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-4343ad38dd2e.jpg) Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon at Crew trailer launch (2024) — Verghese TK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Kareena_Kapoor%2C_Tabu_and_Kriti_Sanon_at_Crew_trailer_launch.jpg/1280px-Kareena_Kapoor%2C_Tabu_and_Kriti_Sanon_at_Crew_trailer_launch.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-c2f7bd8854fa.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-ca357049b3dd.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-491600202f23.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB
- ![Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon at Crew trailer launch (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-4f97e22d0203.jpg) Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon at Crew trailer launch (2024) — Verghese TK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Kareena_Kapoor%2C_Tabu_and_Kriti_Sanon_at_Crew_trailer_launch_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Kareena_Kapoor%2C_Tabu_and_Kriti_Sanon_at_Crew_trailer_launch_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Premiere of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-3fa9e22a9ff0.jpg) Premiere of Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na — Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Tabu_Farhan_Akhtar_still103.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-fb5c611828d5.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-07795961e561.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB
- ![Tabu](https://film.one/media/person/105947/gallery-6bee7b8d0941.jpg) Tabu — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 3 won

- Padma Shri in arts 2011: Padma Shri in arts (won)
- National Film Award for Best Actress 2002: National Film Award for Best Actress (won), for *Maachis*
- National Film Award for Best Actress 1997: National Film Award for Best Actress (won), for *Maachis*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tabu