Tabu turns 55: Jackie Shroff wishes her 'Happiness Always' with a nostalgic post
Synopsis
Jackie Shroff marked Tabu's 55th birthday with just two words — 'Happiness Always' — and a photograph from an event, set to 'Boondon Se Baatein' from their shared cinematic universe. The quiet tribute is a reminder of Tabu's decades-long journey from a teenage debut to two National Awards, a Padma Shri, and an unbroken run across art-house and blockbuster cinema.
Key Takeaways
Tabu turned 55 on 4 November 2026 ; born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi , she is the younger sister of actress Farah Naaz .
Jackie Shroff shared a birthday post with the message 'Happiness Always' , set to 'Boondon Se Baatein' from Tabu's 1999 film 'Thakshak' .
Shroff and Tabu have co-starred in two films : 'Kohram' and '2001: Do Hazaar Ek' .
Tabu has won two National Film Awards for Best Actress and has been conferred the Padma Shri .
Her international credits include Mira Nair's 'The Namesake' and Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' .
Veteran Bollywood actress Tabu turned 55 on 4 November 2026, and her co-star Jackie Shroff marked the occasion with a warm social media post that blended fond memories with a touch of musical nostalgia. The birthday tribute quickly caught the attention of fans and film circles alike.
Jackie Shroff's Birthday Post
Shroff shared a photograph of the two actors seated beside each other at an event, with Tabu dressed in an elegant silver outfit. He kept his message characteristically brief — just two words: 'Happiness Always'. The simplicity of the wish, however, was matched by a thoughtful musical choice: Shroff set the post to 'Boondon Se Baatein', sung by Sujata Trivedi, a song from Tabu's 1999 film 'Thakshak'.
The 'Thakshak' Connection
'Thakshak', directed by Govind Nihalani, also featured Ajay Devgn and Rahul Bose. The choice of that particular soundtrack carries a certain poignancy — it is a film remembered for its gritty storytelling and Tabu's nuanced turn. Notably, Jackie Shroff and Tabu have shared screen space in two films: 'Kohram' and '2001: Do Hazaar Ek', the latter directed by Raj N. Sippy, in which Shroff played Inspector Anil Sharma and Tabu portrayed the character Billu.
Tabu: A Career Defined by Range
Born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, Tabu is the younger sister of actress Farah Naaz. She made her acting debut as a teenager in Dev Anand's 'Hum Naujawan', before establishing herself as a leading actress with 'Pehla Pehla Pyar' and her breakout role in 'Vijaypath' (1994), opposite Ajay Devgn.
Over the decades that followed, she delivered landmark performances in critically acclaimed films including 'Maachis', 'Virasat', 'Hu Tu Tu', 'Astitva', 'Chandni Bar', 'Maqbool', and 'Cheeni Kum'. Her career seamlessly bridged parallel and commercial cinema, a feat few of her contemporaries managed as convincingly.
Awards, Honours and International Projects
Tabu has won two National Film Awards for Best Actress — a testament to her standing in Indian cinema. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri for her contribution to the arts. Her international footprint includes Mira Nair's 'The Namesake' and Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi', bringing her work global recognition well beyond Bollywood.
More recently, she has demonstrated continued commercial relevance with films such as 'Drishyam', 'Golmaal Again', 'Haider', 'Andhadhun', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', 'Drishyam 2', and 'Crew'. As she steps into her 55th year, Tabu remains one of Hindi cinema's most enduring and sought-after talents.
Point of View
But the musical cue — a track from 'Thakshak', a film the mainstream mostly forgot — signals the kind of insider affection that speaks to Tabu's standing among peers. What is worth noting at 55 is how few actors from her generation have remained genuinely relevant across the blockbuster-to-arthouse spectrum the way she has. From 'Maqbool' to 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', she has never been typecast because she has never allowed it. The birthday coverage tends to focus on the milestone number; the more interesting story is an unbroken 30-plus-year run with almost no creative detour.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tabu in 2026?
Tabu turned 55 on 4 November 2026. She was born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi and made her acting debut as a teenager in Dev Anand's 'Hum Naujawan'.
What did Jackie Shroff post for Tabu's birthday?
Jackie Shroff shared a photograph of himself and Tabu seated together at an event, captioned 'Happiness Always'. He set the post to 'Boondon Se Baatein', sung by Sujata Trivedi, from Tabu's 1999 film 'Thakshak'.
Which films have Jackie Shroff and Tabu acted in together?
Jackie Shroff and Tabu have shared screen space in two films — 'Kohram' and '2001: Do Hazaar Ek'. In the latter, directed by Raj N. Sippy, Shroff played Inspector Anil Sharma and Tabu portrayed the character Billu.
What awards has Tabu won?
Tabu has won two National Film Awards for Best Actress and has been honoured with the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian cinema. She has also received recognition for international projects including 'The Namesake' and 'Life of Pi'.
What are some of Tabu's most notable films?
Tabu's acclaimed filmography includes 'Maachis', 'Maqbool', 'Chandni Bar', 'Astitva', 'Haider', 'Andhadhun', 'Drishyam', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', and 'Crew', spanning both critically recognised and commercially successful cinema.
