One of the most versatile actresses in Indian cinema, Tabu has never shied away from picking up complex, grey and even quirky roles unlike most of her contemporaries. Be it playing a woman who falls in love with an older man in Cheeni Kum Hai, a married woman who dares to raise a mirror to the society’s duality in Astitva or playing a devious vamp in Andhadhun, the actress is a charmer when it comes to playing complex characters on screen.
In a recent interview, Tabu opened up about what draws her to such characters and said, “I know of the existence of complexities in the realm of the human mind and in relationships, and I don’t know why there has to be any form of denial in portraying that on screen. If you want to show lust where a woman is concerned, or greed for power, I don’t see it as wrong or blasphemous.”
She continued, “I don’t understand why we have to wonder… aise kaisa ho sakta hai duniya mein? Who are we fooling? It is fine to have characters with all the correct moral values, I am a big fan of that, too. At the same time, I don’t see why all these intense emotions and unconventional relationships should not be explored on screen. In fact, I find it interesting and satisfying to delve into such roles. What is so indigestible about it? I don’t shy away from portraying unconventional relationships and characters on screen.”
On being asked if she had any fears while taking up films like Astitva, Chandni Bar, Maqbool, Haider and others, the Golmaal Again actress told, “If I had, I wouldn’t have said yes to these roles. Something in those characters called out to me strongly. All I was thinking of was whether I could be convincing in that part or not. Look, the reason for choosing a certain part could be that something in that character has resonated with me personally, or I wanted to bring these kinds of characters to life for the audience. Sublimely, I guess that was my desire, which I didn’t realise at the start, maybe I am articulating it better now.”
