She has completed over three decades in the film industry and Tabu still continues to be an enigma. She is one of the few actresses in India who is better identified for her stunning performances than her star appeal or glamour quotient. And her strength doesn’t lie in numbers (of films) but in the sheer quality of her acting and the variety of roles she has essayed on screen. There was a time when her personal life was fodder for gossip. Now if you bring that up, Tabu says with a laugh, “I am consciously not thinking about my ex-boyfriends. Having them back in my life would scare the living daylights out of me.”
She feels that the universe is favouring her. “A while ago, I was missing my friends Salman (Khan), Ajay (Devgn), Vishal (Bhardwaj) and many non-film friends too. And in less than two years, I have them all back in my life.” Single and still not ready to mingle, Tabu admits that she feels confused when she thinks about the idea of entering a relationship. “Honestly, I don’t know if I have it in me to adjust my life around my man’s schedule. I can give more than my hundred per cent but the minute I’m asked to do certain things or I’m bound by rules, I run miles away. I think, at my age I’d want to cut the expectations, insecurities and all the drama and live a no-fuss life. Unfortunately, not many agree with my theory. That’s the reason why I have not been in a serious relationship for a long time,” she says.
While the wait for Mr Perfect continues, Tabu reveals that if her man wants to woo her, he could use a huge diamond, a Louis Vuitton travel set and a sea-facing bungalow. “Who would say no to diamonds and solitaires!” She continues, “I’m not a 20-year-old. I’ve struggled and worked hard to earn the luxury and the respect. Now if I find a man who can add to my happiness, I might give in. But then, it’ll also depend on my state of mind. But I don’t see myself settling down with some Mr Moneybags. Irrespective of his profession, he has to be creative and talented. Money will follow suit,” she says.
That she is as choosy with her film roles is not a secret. But there is no agenda behind that. “The role has to suit me and my age. I can’t play a college girl obviously. We remind her that her colleagues Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have successfully played college students in their late 40s. “And they did a brilliant job of it. Those films have done exceptionally well. But they are men; they can get away with it. I don’t think I can pull off a college girl. I mean look at me. Do I look like a 20-year-old? I can even mould my look and body language for my role in a film but that script has to ensure that I don’t end up making a laughing stock of myself,” Tabu says.
After observing roza and fasting for 20 days, the actress has hit the gym again. “I had to work out for Drishyam. Both Ajay and I were of the opinion that an unfit cop wouldn’t look very flattering. So I did slog it out to get back in shape,” she says. Eid has always been an important festival in their family but this year, she reveals, celebrations will remain low key. “As kids we’d make it a point to pray and have lunch together. Sheer korma and many other delicacies would be prepared. But now most of my cousins have moved out of the city and the country. In Mumbai, the only relative we have is Shabana aunty and her family. Since her mother isn’t keeping too well, Eid this year will be a quiet affair.”
An actress par excellence, Tabu is happy with focussing on quality over quantity. “I’m at a stage in life where I can’t put in 18 hours of work. I’m fine with working on fewer films and fewer hours. I need my ‘me’ time. The general perception about me is that I live a very boring and dull life. And that’s so not true. I’m a people’s person and I like to chill with my set of friends on weekends. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not morbid,” she laughs again. She adds that with time and age her tolerance level with people has dipped. “I feel it’s becoming impossible to have a sane conversation with people. My upbringing has been very normal, I treat everyone around me as equals. Of late, everyone around is trying to put each other down. It’s extremely disheartening that ‘criticising and slamming’ is the in-thing.” But Tabu has her way of staying away from the negativity. “I’m in a happy space.”