‘I’VE TO FEND FOR MYSELF’
Tabu says it’s important for her to take up projects where most of her requirements are met in terms of content and money
After a hiatus, actor Tabu is back with a mainstream potboiler. The actor, who is known for her intense portrayals is happy to be back to comedy. “I always wanted to be part of the Golmaal (series). When Rohit (Shetty; director) said there’s a role which is the only serious character in the film, I understood that he has cast me accordingly (laughs). He has made me do what I am good at. For me, the objective was to be part of this madness as I’ve always enjoyed watching the series. Also, I’ve known these people for a while. Rohit and the boys have created this brand. So, for me it was the least taxing task, as they’ve mastered it. I’m the new entry in the cast, and I’ve just gone and enjoyed myself,” she says.
So in this phase of her career, has her criteria of choosing films changed? “Now, it is important for me to like the project in its entirety to be part of it, and not just on the basis of my role. At least 80% of the requirements should be met, because something or the other is always left out. Sometimes everything else is good, but the money is not good, and other times, the money is outstanding, but others things are not great. At times, the director is outstanding but your character is not great, and vice versa. Another question that bothers me is ‘will I be looked after’? I want to do projects in which I am taken care of. I cannot take up p anything, because it exhausts me. I am not in that space anymore, because you’re expending yourself as an actor, even off screen. I’ve to fend for myself because nobody else will, and why not,” says Tabu.
I want to do projects in which I am taken care of. I cannot take up anything, because it exhausts me. I am not in that space anymore, because you’re expending yourself as an actor. TABU, ACTOR
From the roles that Tabu has played in her career so far, she finds her character in Haider (2014) to be one of the most complex . “Haider was in a new space. I don’t think anyone has attempted that kind of relationship between a mother and son, at least in Hindi films. Those layers of emotions have not been explored. It looks nothing like the mother and son relationship. So, that was a complex relationship for me to play, surrounded by much more going on in the story. I think that is a personal milestone,” says the actor.
Tabu has always chosen to maintain her personal space and successfully balanced her work and private life. Talking about her interests beyond films, the Drishyam (2015) actor says, “I listen to music. And I’ve learnt classical music. Also, I have been doing yoga for many years, that’s something I like. I write in my free time, it’s a need. Besides, I like to explore nature. I can spend any amount of time with nature and not get bored. I’ve been to places such as Sikkim alone, and spent weeks in resorts looking at Kanchanjunga for hours. I am happy when I am with nature and have no complaints.”
For someone who is so particular about her ‘me’ time, clearly social media is something she is not quite keen about. So is she averse to the medium? “I can’t share so much of myself with the world. It’s exhausting. I can’t constantly engage with the world. Some people are great at it and they enjoy it. But I am on Instagram and I love it because you don’t have to say anything. It’s only about putting up pictures,” says the Life Of Pi (2012) actor.
I listen to music. And I’ve learnt classical music. Also, I have been doing yoga for many years, that’s something I like. TABU, ACTOR