Actress Tabu has imbued each character that she has played, from a damsel in distress to a murderess, conspirator or just plain quirky, with her own brand of uniqueness. She has been a perfect puppet master for the audience’s heart. She tells Asmita Sarkar how her path led her to be a class apart 

In between day-long interviews, Tabu made time to speak to old friends like R Balki, asking them to see her latest film Andhadhun. Dressed in white and grey dress with a high slit, the powerhouse, performer who was described by her co-star Ayushmann Khurrana as a malleable actor, had an aura  of busy-ness that seemed to envelop her being. A director’s actor, she has no qualms of playing characters that do not toe the established line and slips into them with practised ease. While some of her characters have been grey others have blown us over with the intensity with which they were portrayed.  

The characters you play are unique and eccentric.

Tabu: (Laughs) I think I am like that as a person now. Ye mereko abhi confirm ho raha hai.

Do you consciously choose such layered characters to play?

I love to play them. I always wanted to play these kind of people. Luckily, people have come to me with these kind of scripts. I always wanted my journey in doing something different than standard characters that don’t engage you to that level.  Even in a big mainstream film like Golmaal I had a quirky character. I attract those and gravitate towards them.

In the 90s, when you shifted from mainstream characters to interesting ones which film was your turning point?

It always came from within me. I knew that my potential had to be explored and exploited to a larger extent than it was being done. I was looking for platforms that would help me do that. When I got films like Macchis and Hu tu tu I really jumped at them because that was my groove.

Is thriller a comfortable genre for you to work in?

Sriram’s world is completely different. Nothing like Drishyam and Missing. I can’t find words to explain how different Andhadhun is. It’s a  different exploration of yourself and your craft because it is a different format. The challenge is also to fit into that. Sriram creates a world and whatever happens in it is true only to that. There are no reference points for the characters and stories. You start with a new approach and break away from what you know of playing characters. I deconstructed a lot within me for this film.

I can’t put a finger on what exactly I had to take apart within me because it’s internal and part of the creative process but if you see the film you’ll see that this is not something I have ever attempted to do before. What Sriram does with his actors and characters may look casual but it’s something deep and fragmented which is coming out on screen. 

Do you think that digital content is pushing the boundaries of film?

The audience was ready and demanding of different stuff, I don’t think it is because of digital. Every generation, art form and pop culture is going to be influenced by the society and what’s happening there.  I don’t think it’s a big topic of discussion that things are changing. Human beings are changing so this is expected.

You have played two Shakespearian and a Victorian character. Do you like classics?

I have nothing to do with what is being offered to me. Whoever is offering me those roles thinks that I’m right for those roles. I am just lucky to play iconic characters like Lady Macbeth (Maqbool), Miss Havisham (Fitoor), Gertrude (Haider) and  Kandukondain Kandukondain (Sense and Sensibility).

Do you think this is a good time for versatile actors?

I don’t know since I always played different kind of characters.

Photo: Pankaj Kumar