I’m not mysterious at all: Tabu

Tabu, who plays Begum Hazrat in Fitoor, says she now knows how the begums lived their secluded lives.

“During our childhood days in Hyderabad, we would always wonder about the lives of these royals within the four walls of their mahals and wondered how they lived. Now, I understand their plight well,” she says.

On her role in Fitoor she adds, “I play the mysterious Begum Hazrat. It’s about how she tries to protect her daughter as she has experienced bitterness in her life. Being betrayed in love, she does not want her daughter to fall for someone who is not of their status.”

The conversation soon moves on to how many have tagged her as “mysterious”. “I am not at all mysterious. But yes, I have been very tactful as I have managed to escape controversies. I would never entertain any negativity.” She adds with a laugh, “I would even leave that area pretending to be getting a phone call. In short, I cannot lie but at the same time I cannot hurt anyone with my honest thoughts Escaping from unwanted situations is the best we can do.

“This has somehow worked in my favor. The begum in Fitoor is complex but I am very simple. But yes, I do not like to reveal about my personal life too much.”

Tabu is also one of the few actresses who have managed her Bollywood career on her terms. She says, “We did not belong to the industry — we were outsiders. I have garnered respect due to my hard work. I wanted to survive in the industry with dignity. We did not understand how the industry worked, therefore the best I could do was to go for quality of work over quantity.”

She’s also not keen on the big, glitzy Bollywood parties either.

“Professionally, we are committed to attending some parties. But I can sit throughout the night with friends I am comfortable with. I have a couple of good friends from the industry and outside whom I can look to whenever I may be in need.”

She also clearly remembers her early years in Hyderabad.

“My maternal grandparents ran a school in a haveli in Darussalam, Nampally. My grandfather was a maths professor while grandmother and my mum taught kindergarten. My grandfather never liked the film industry. We were a simple, middle class family. And I have been a fool for not completing by studies. I started working at an early age, at 14- 15. Overall though, I am happy with my journey... so far.”