Ajay Devgn's co-actress once revealed why she never used her father's surname or never wanted to meet him: 'I'm not curious about him...'

Tabu has long been admired for her powerful screen presence and understated performances, but off-screen, the actor has often spoken with equal honesty about her personal life. An old interview of the actress is currently making rounds on the internet, where she opened up about her childhood, her identity, and the conscious choices she made while growing up, choices that shaped who she is today.

Tabu’s journey in cinema began at a very young age. She made an uncredited appearance in the 1982 film Bazaar and later appeared in a credited role in Hum Naujawan in 1985. Over the years, she went on to work across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and international cinema, earning National Awards, critical acclaim and commercial success. Despite this remarkable career, Tabu has described herself as someone who was deeply introverted, even after becoming a successful actor.

Tabu once talked about not using father's surname

During a conversation with Simi Garewal on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Tabu opened up about her early years and family life. Growing up in Hyderabad, she stayed with her maternal grandparents after her parents got separated when she was quite young.


Her mother, who worked as a schoolteacher, played a central role in raising her, while her grandmother’s spiritual routines, prayers and reading, quietly influenced her upbringing. Tabu said she was a timid child and felt she did not have a strong voice for a long time, even after entering films.


In the same interview, Tabu also addressed questions about her father and why she never used his surname, Hashmi. She explained that it was never something she felt was important to her identity. According to her, she was known as Tabassum Fatima growing up, and in school, Fatima functioned as her surname. Using her father’s name, she said, never felt necessary.

Tabu also spoke candidly about never meeting her father. She said she has no memories of him and never felt a sense of curiosity or emotional pull to seek him out. While her elder sister Farah, who was also an actor in the 1980s, had met him occasionally, Tabu said she felt content with how her life had turned out. She described herself as settled and happy, adding that she did not feel anything was missing.

Tabu's upcoming project

Meanwhile, on the work front, Tabu continues to remain busy. She will next be seen in a pan-India project directed by Puri Jagannadh, starring Vijay Sethupathi, and in Priyadarshan’s horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla opposite Akshay Kumar. Stay tuned!