Top header Banner
Top header Banner
Middle top Banner

BizAsia interviews Tabu about ‘Drishyam’

Tabu Drishyam first look 340x

One of Bollywood’s most notable actresses, Tabu spoke to BizAsia about her role in this week’s action packed drama ‘Drishyam’. The film also reunites Tabu with Ajay Devgn after nearly 20 years apart. ‘Drishyam’ is a remake of a Malayalam film, which opens up at cinemas worldwide on Friday.

We have all been blown away by your first look in ��Drishyam�۪ as Meera Deshmukh, tell us more about your avatar?

That was one of the reason�۪s why I did the film, I wanted to wear the police costume, ID, uniform and look cool (laughs).

Well, I can�۪t remember you doing a role like this before. When you were first offered the role, what made you do it?

Exactly, well you�۪ve answered your question yourself. I�۪ve never done a character like this and even if I weren�۪t required to wear the uniform, I would have done it. There is so much power in her personality, in her character that I look up to her. I wish I could be like that in real life. I wish a lot of us could be like that and have so much strength inside, and be so perceptive despite having every emotion that a mother or a woman can have. But still do whatever it takes to get what she wants to get done. There are a few women characters that are written in cinema like this. Like somebody pointed out to me that you know, this could have been a man. There was no obvious reason why she had to be a woman, (this character), and that really got me thinking. There is no difference from a male playing this character. So it was really exciting for me to do this.

Have you actually seen the original film, before you were offered the Hindi version?

I had seen it, long back not for any reason but because there was a show my friend had organised. They had produced the Malayalam version. I saw it then.

Did you take reference to any of the actresses that played the character before?

No. Especially in the recent past, many few female cop roles have come on screen. I don�۪t take references to any other actors at all. I think the script and the story was enough for me to draw from.

You�۪re returning on the screen with Ajay Devgn, which is going to be an absolutely nostalgic moment for people who remember you from the 90s. What did you notice this time, working with him after so many years? Did you notice any changes in him?

Not at all. Our relationship is the same, so I don�۪t know of any changes that have come around that core of the relationship of me and him. We�۪ve been friends, we�۪ve known each other since too long and I can�۪t notice any changes in him.

Ajay actually said in another interview, that no other actress could have played the role of Meera Deshmukh like you, what would you say to that?

I�۪m completely (laughs) touched, completely excited that he said that. And I can say the same that I don�۪t think any other actor could have carried his character that he�۪s done. It has gravitas, it has depth but also because he�۪s such a big star, he carries it on his shoulders. This combination is very rare to find in actors. You know, when you�۪re such a huge star and he�۪s positioned so well in the film industry, and he�۪s a great actor and he can carry off any role with just his face and his eyes. He can look like a doting father but he can also be put up to protect his family against anything.

'Drishyam' logo
‘Drishyam’ logo

The film is directed by Nishikanth Kamat, how would you describe his style of direction for ��Drishyam�۪?

Nishi�۪s work I have loved in ��Mumbai Meri Jaan�۪. There are many great qualities about Nishi, from the fact that he�۪s a very relaxed and easy going person, so that comes first for me. The kind of person somebody is, really defines their kind of work also. He�۪s very clear about who he wants to be and who he does not want to be and how he wants to do it. He has no excess baggage in anything, whether it is in Indian cinema or in taking a shot. He is very precise and he is very clear. He doesn�۪t shoot after 6 o�۪clock, which is the best part, and neither does Ajay. So for me that is fantastic. Both the director and the hero don�۪t work after 6 o�۪clock so it makes it all the more relaxing for me. You know you are working with people who have that distinction between work and personal life. So when you are working, you are working. You�۪re even having fun at work. Then you are also separation from it and given yourself that much time.

As you mentioned this is not a type of role you have played before but in other interviews you have said that you wouldn’t mind doing a ‘Dabangg’ type of character, why that in this stage of your career?

I was not this type of person before (laughs). At every stage in life your desires, your aspirations are going to be different. I said it in a very humorous way, as in why not play a cop seeing as I�۪m having so much fun with it. Also, I�۪m older now and I have much more authority I think.

Your career has spanned over so many years, would you say that times have changed and women are getting roles that are stronger now?

This is a question that everybody has asked. It�۪s like a protocol (laughs). Yes and no. It�۪s not so black and white you know. There�۪s so many layers to this answer and really I can�۪t say.

I�۪d like to also congratulate you with ��Haider�۪. You swept the awards with your role in the film, and the London audiences really loved you in that as well. We are looking forward to seeing you in ��Fitoor�۪ and also ��Missing�۪?

Yes. In fact I might be coming to London in the second week of August. We�۪re shooting ��Fitoor�۪ in Poland and I�۪m planning to come by and do some shopping in London. Yes, so ��Fitoor and ��Missing�۪.

Are there any other films that you maybe a part of?

I have my hands full, this is too much for me (laughs).

BizAsia wishes Tabu all the best with ‘Drishyam’. Catch the film at cinemas from this weekend.