Tabu is very cautious with her film choices

Acclaimed actor Tabu enjoys playing strong women characters, but doesn’t want to limit and get typecast. The star, who featured in Drishyam (2015), says she is always cautious with her film choices. With more women-centric films increasingly changing the landscape of Indian cinema, when asked why she hasn’t been seen in such films of late, the 45-year-old says, “Taking that decision is not black and white, like it was earlier. In the beginning of my career, I did many films that didn’t have the womenoriented tag, but because the character offered was meaningful. Now, if producers and directors are coming to me with the idea of putting the responsibility of a ‘women-oriented’ film on my shoulders, I don’t want to get stuck in there.” The six-time National Award-winning actor, who started out in 1980 with a small part in the film Bazaar, adds, “The focus should be on my work, not that I can sell a certain category of films.” For someone who has played intense roles all her life, on whether she ever feels affected by such characters in real life after she has done shooting for them, Tabu says, “Yes, but the intensity depends on how much that character has impacted your mind. Some characters, like the one from Hu Tu Tu was entirely different from who I am. My characters in Maqbool (2003), Haider (2014), or The Namesake (2007) were so larger-than-life that they could shake your equilibrium.” After her latest, Golmaal Again, she will be seen in Luv Ranjan’s romcom, once again with actor Ajay Devgn.

The focus should be on my work, not that I can sell a certain category of films TABU, ACTOR

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT Actor Tabu does not want to get typecast in women-oriented roles