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Hits and flops won’t affect Tabu’s career: Shabana Azmi
Mumbai : Did Tabu — who turns 45 on Friday — shoot her career in the foot by playing mom to stars like Shahid Kapoor in “Haider” and Katrina Kaif in “Fitoor”? Not really, feels her illustrious aunt Shabana Azmi, who says Tabu’s career is impervious to dips and curves.
In a gender-biased film industry like Bollywood, while leading men may continue playing lover boys until they die (and Dev Anand is an embodiment of the patriarchal proclivities that eternally govern the casting rules of Bollywood), a leading lady seemingly loses her sheen once she gets married or hits 40, whichever happens first.
Where does Tabu’s career go next?
In the past few years, there has been a gradual shift in her positioning from leading lady to ‘character’ actress. In the Salman Khan starrer “Jai Ho”, she played Salman’s sister. Leading ladies in Bollywood don’t do that unless it’s a film like “Josh” where Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan played twins, but were anything but sibling-like in their conduct.
Tabu, a National Award winning talent, also played mother to Shahid and Katrina in “Haider” and “Fitoor” respectively. In “Drishyam”, her only other release during the last two years, she was cast opposite Rajat Kapoor and not the film’s leading man Ajay Devgn.
But these choices will have no bearing on her career, says Shabana.
“Hits and flops will make no difference to Tabu’s career. She is a class apart and will always be the first choice for strong roles of characters her age. She is beautiful in a unique way. She doesn’t look like a manufactured product and she is a versatile actor,” Shabana said.
She added: “People think of Tabu as a dramatic actor, but she also has a keen comic timing and a terrific mimic like her mother. More power to her on her birthday.”
A director who has worked with Tabu and cares deeply for her career, said “she has made brave choices as an actress, but these choices have one after another shut the door on her career as a leading lady”.
Writer-editor-director Apurva Asrani is dazzled by Tabu’s rare appearances on screen.
“I was so relieved to see Tabu in ‘Haider’. She was given one opportunity after ages, and she simply stole the show. It is rare to find writer/directors who create strong female characters,” Asrani said.
He added: “Our industry is known for being sexist since decades. Heroines’ careers used to end when they were 30 and the men played heroes till 55 at least. Clearly, this has been no country for women.
“But having said that, we had Bimal Roy, who created really powerful female characters. We have Vishal Bhardwaj, who has given Tabu some of her meatiest roles. We have Shoojit Sircar who gave Deepika (Padukone) ‘Piku’ and Ram Madhvani who gave Sonam Kapoor ‘Neerja’.
“Don’t forget that Kangana Ranaut has been acting in films where she has the author-backed role. I just had the good fortune of writing her an exciting character in Hansal Mehta’s ‘Simran’. Today, the scene is much better for actresses. Sridevi has made a solid comeback with ‘English Vinglish’ and now readies up for Mom. I am hopeful that more writers and directors will write parts that do justice to a phenomenal talent like Tabu.”
Film critic Raja Sen said: “That the magnificent Tabu finds such rare occasions to dazzle on screen is one of Hindi cinema’s most profound tragedies. Her legacy is assured. As the beholders, the loss is entirely ours.”
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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