Tabu’s best moments in Hindi cinema include her grieving mother in Haider, the ruthless killer in Andhadhun, the bar dancer in Chandni Bar and the ambitious mistress in Maqbool. Across three decades she has won two National Film Awards and seven Filmfare Awards, and she was still delivering hits in 2026.
Tabu, born in 1971, started her lead career with Vijaypath (1994) opposite Ajay Devgn, which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Since then she has moved between mainstream comedies, art-house dramas and Shakespeare adaptations with ease. Here are nine moments that made us fall for her, and the newer work that proves she is not slowing down.
Tabu at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 November 1971 |
| Lead debut | Vijaypath (1994) |
| National Film Awards | Best Actress for Maachis and Chandni Bar |
| Filmfare Awards | 7, plus 2 Filmfare Awards South |
| Padma Shri | 2011 |
| Latest release | Bhooth Bangla (2026), with Akshay Kumar |
9 moments of Tabu in Hindi cinema
1. Maachis (1996)
Gulzar’s political thriller is set against the Sikh insurgency. Tabu plays a young woman whose life is torn apart by the violence around her. The film won her the first of her two National Film Awards for Best Actress, and it showed early that she could carry serious cinema.
2. Hera Pheri (2000)
In a film remembered for its three leading men, Tabu holds her own. She balances comedy with sorrow and dignity, and her scenes ground the madness around her. Hera Pheri was a box-office success and is still one of the most quoted Hindi comedies.
3. Astitva (2000)
Tabu plays a woman neglected by a distant husband, who is drawn to her music teacher and finally speaks up about feelings she has buried for years. The role won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress, and it remains one of her most talked-about performances.
4. Chandni Bar (2001)
In Madhur Bhandarkar’s film, Tabu plays a bar dancer dealing with orphanhood, poverty and the violence around her. She brings quiet strength to a hard life. The role won her a second National Film Award for Best Actress.
5. Maqbool (2003)
Vishal Bhardwaj’s first Shakespeare adaptation reworks Macbeth in a crime world setting. Opposite Irrfan Khan, Tabu plays the woman who pushes her lover towards ambition and murder. Her scenes with Irrfan are some of the finest in modern Hindi cinema. Maqbool streams on Prime Video, and is free with ads on JioHotstar and MX Player, according to JustWatch.
6. The Namesake (2006)
Mira Nair’s film, Tabu’s first Hollywood project, pairs her again with Irrfan. In one quiet, warm scene, she teases him with the line, “You want me to say I Love You like those Americans?” Her restraint and wit carry the emotion of the whole film.
7. Haider (2014)
Vishal Bhardwaj’s take on Hamlet gives Tabu one of her most complex roles. As Ghazala, a mother afraid her son will join the militancy, she is loving, guilty and unknowable all at once. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Haider streams on Prime Video and ZEE5, per JustWatch.
8. Andhadhun (2018)
Sriram Raghavan’s dark thriller has Tabu as a calculating, remorseless killer, and she is completely believable. She is funny, frightening and unpredictable in the same scene. Andhadhun streams on Prime Video and is listed free with ads on JioHotstar, according to JustWatch.
9. A Suitable Boy (2020)
Mira Nair’s BBC series does not always make the most of its story, but Tabu is its highlight. Her musical scenes are among the best moments in the show.
Tabu’s newer work worth watching
Tabu has had one of the strongest late-career runs of any Hindi film actor. These recent titles are worth adding to your list:
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022): a dual role in the horror comedy that won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.
- Drishyam 2 (2022): she returned as Meera opposite Ajay Devgn.
- Khufiya (2023): a film released directly on Netflix.
- Crew (2024): a heist comedy with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon that became a commercial success.
- Dune: Prophecy (2024): a brief role as Francesca in the Dune spin-off series.
- Bhooth Bangla (2026): a horror comedy with Akshay Kumar that was a commercial success.
She is also set to appear in Slumdog: 33 Temple Road, a Telugu action film with Vijay Sethupathi, for which no release date has been announced.
Why Tabu’s moments stay with us
Tabu rarely overplays a scene. Whether she is a grieving mother, a killer or a woman reclaiming her voice, she lets small looks and pauses do the work. That is why her best moments in Hindi cinema still feel fresh years later. For more, see our celebs and Bollywood sections, or browse more listicles.
Frequently asked questions
How many National Awards has Tabu won?
Tabu has won two National Film Awards for Best Actress, for Maachis and Chandni Bar.
What was Tabu’s first film as a lead?
Her first lead role was in Vijaypath (1994) opposite Ajay Devgn, which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Which is Tabu’s best film?
Critics often pick Maqbool, Haider, Chandni Bar and Andhadhun. Each shows a different side of her range.
What is Tabu’s latest movie?
Her latest release is Bhooth Bangla (2026) with Akshay Kumar. Slumdog: 33 Temple Road, a Telugu film, is upcoming.
Sources: Wikipedia: Tabu (actress), JustWatch India: Haider, JustWatch India: Andhadhun.
