Mid-interview, which turned into a discussion about the Life of Tabu, she even connected me to her sister, yesteryear actress Farha, on the cellphone. Over tall glasses of lemon barley, a languid Tabu unravels the mystique that she has built around her personality
Where do you hibernate in between films?
For the past three to four years, I was busy with my house in Hyderabad. Since I had to be in Hyderabad while designing my house, I signed a few Telugu films.
But it has been five years since Cheeni Kum.
Waqt toh achhi tarah se guzar jaata hai. I travel abroad a lot; travelling really opens up your mind.
Have you evolved to the degree that you don't need to be regularly in the spotlight?
I have never hankered for the spotlight. I never aspired to be in films. My sister Farha was the movie buff, not me. However, I landed up in this industry at a very early age.
Shekhar (Kapur) uncle, who had carried me in his lap in my childhood, cajoled me to do a film (Prem). I thoroughly enjoyed it and after the film got over, chashka lag gaya. The attention and appreciation encouraged me.
I happily accept the attention when I get it but I would not sacrifice my life for films. You will understand me better if you consider that I am not from the city. I was raised in Hyderabad. A side of me strongly seeks a more relaxed life too. My ex-secretary, Shantiji, would tell me, 'Dekhiye Tabuji, aapka temperament hi nahin zyaada kaam karne ka.'
What is it like to lead Tabu's life?
I wake up in the morning and do yoga followed by my workout. I don't read as much as I used to once, but I do write. I am very active on the Internet but not on social networking sites because I find it a very disconnected way of communicating. I also try to watch all Hindi films in the theatre. I have big groups of friends in town, Lokhandwala, Bandra and Juhu.
After working in international projects, do you ever grow weary of Hindi films?
I am such an integral part of the Hindi film industry, I can't imagine a world without them. I think in Hindi and express myself best in Hindi. When directors give me instructions in English, it takes a lot of time for me to absorb.
Language and self-expression are interconnected; and I experienced this while shooting The Namesake. I would return to the apartment after the day's work, but felt 'aaj maine shooting nahin ki'.
I was doing everything right but after days of introspection, it struck me that since I was voicing my emotions in English, it didn't feel like 'my' feeling. And I understood my personal dynamics.
What made you say yes to Life Of Pi?
I was looking forward to being a part of director Ang Lee's vision. I may have a very small part in this film but I was totally absorbed because the story is much bigger than any of the characters. I play the younger Pi's mother, and I have a simple role.
Like in The Namesake, you are playing a mother in Life of Pi too. Does this stir any maternal feelings?
I want a family of my own, a unit to whom I belong, but the thought is not triggered by my roles in films. Nothing is stopping me from marrying but nothing is pushing me either. I am very happy in my space.
I am very close to my nephew, Fateh. I try to discipline him but I also tend to go easy on him because my sister is very strict with him. I have spent a lot of happy times with him during his growing years.
Directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and Balki, who made their debut films with you, did not cast you again.
Madhur and I are great friends. Madhur had approached me for Aan, Satta and Page 3 after Chandni Bar; I refused. I am speaking about this only to clear the notion that directors don't repeat Tabu.
Ang Lee spoke about the 'God Moment' casually before a scene. It is the unique moment when a special realisation hits you because you are very close to death. I like the sound and feel of the 'God moment'.
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