An Exclusive Interview With Tabu

‘Serious' actress Tabu doesn't think she has kept commercial filmmakers away from her and says she needs to satisfy the urge to play different roles. Excerpts.

'Tabu' Photo Gallery

What kind of reaction has your latest movie Maqbool received?
Maqbool was screened at both the Toronto and Marrakesh film festivals and the audience reaction was most positive. In fact, the reviews at Toronto were very flattering.

Nimmi, the character you portray in Maqbool, is based on Lady Macbeth. How did you prepare for this rather complex role?
Since I haven’t read Shakespeare’s Macbeth, I never thought of Nimmi as being similar to Lady Macbeth. And neither did I wish to slot Nimmi as a woman caught between two worlds. I have tried to understand Nimmi, but she has too many complex shades. As an actress, I do not judge her actions as being right or wrong.

As an actress, what drives you?
Nothing beats the satisfaction of a job well done. Acting is my passion and it is the only thing which keeps me going. I put all my energy into acting.

Do intense roles take their toll?
No, and that’s because I don’t let the complexities of the characters I portray get to me. I need to satisfy the urge to play different roles.

  Is there a paucity of good roles for women in Indian cinema?
This applies not only to India, but cinema worldwide. Films are essentially male-dominated, but things are changing.

  Has your image as a ‘serious’ actress kept commercial film-makers away?
I haven’t thought on these lines. I have had two releases — Hawa and Jaal — in the past few months. How does one get more commercial than that?


S...IT