Today, November 4th, 2025, marks the 54th birthday of Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, known to the world as Tabu. An accomplished actress, Tabu has carved a unique and respected place for herself in Indian cinema. She is celebrated for her willingness to portray complex, often troubled women in both mainstream and independent films. Her career, which began in 1985, includes two National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare Awards.

While fans celebrate her impactful performances in movies such as "Maachis," "Chandni Bar," and "Astitva," many also fondly remember her collaborations with actor Ajay Devgn. The duo has shared screen space in nine films, with a tenth release in 2024.

Their journey began in 1994 with the action drama "Vijaypath". In "Vijaypath," Tabu won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. The film starred Ajay Devgn as a dedicated police officer and Tabu in a largely ornamental role. While Tabu had appeared in films earlier, including a role as Dev Anand's daughter in "Hum Naujawan" (1985) and a lead role in the Telugu film "Coolie No. 1" (1991), "Vijaypath" was her first prominent role in Hindi cinema and marked the beginning of her successful partnership with Ajay Devgn.

Following "Vijaypath," Tabu and Ajay Devgn appeared in several films together, including "Haqeeqat" (1995), "Thakshak" (1999), "Drishyam" (2015), "Fitoor" (2016), "Golmaal Again" (2017), "De De Pyaar De" (2019), and "Drishyam 2" (2022). In 2024, they starred in "Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha", a romantic thriller directed by Neeraj Pandey. In many of their films, Tabu and Ajay Devgn have played characters on opposite sides of the law, showcasing their versatility as actors.

Their on-screen chemistry and friendship, which reportedly began in their early teens, have contributed to the success of their films. Ajay Devgn has humorously stated that he works with Tabu in many movies because he "got her dates".

Tabu's career extends beyond her collaborations with Ajay Devgn. She has received critical acclaim for her roles in films like "Maachis" (1996) and "Chandni Bar" (2001), winning National Film Awards for her performances. She has also starred in international projects, including Mira Nair's "The Namesake" (2006) and Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" (2012). More recently, she has appeared in commercially successful films such as "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2" (2022) and "Crew" (2024).

As Tabu celebrates her 54th birthday, her contributions to Indian cinema continue to be celebrated. From her early success in "Vijaypath" to her recent performances in "Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha" and other films, Tabu has proven herself as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in the industry.