Tabu, born as Tabassum Fatima Hashmi on November 4, 1971, hails from a Hyderabadi Muslim family. Her parents divorced when she was three, and she was raised by her mother, a school teacher, and her maternal grandparents, who were retired professors running a school.

Tabu's acting career spans over multiple languages including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, and even English. She made her debut as a teenager in Dev Anand's 'Hum Naujawan' (1985) and played her first leading role in the Telugu film 'Coolie No. 1' (1991).

She has delivered remarkable performances in a variety of roles, often portraying troubled women, in both mainstream and independent cinema. Some of her most notable performances include 'Maachis' (1996), 'Virasat' (1997), 'Hu Tu Tu' (1999), 'Astitva' (2000), 'Chandni Bar' (2001), 'Maqbool' (2003), 'Cheeni Kum' (2007), and 'Haider' (2014).

Tabu's career also expanded to American cinema with 'The Namesake' (2006) and 'Life of Pi' (2012). Her biggest commercial successes in India came with the comedies 'Golmaal Again' (2017), 'De De Pyaar De' (2019), 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2' (2022), and 'Crew' (2024), the thrillers 'Andhadhun' (2018) and 'Drishyam 2' (2022), and the action drama 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' (2020).

Tabu is known for her commitment to health and wellness. She emphasizes the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, maintaining optimal nutrition, and adapting one's exercise routine to match their current physical capabilities. A notable aspect of Tabu's wellness regimen is her commitment to yoga, which she considers more than just exercise but a holistic lifestyle choice.

Tabu's talent and versatility have earned her numerous accolades. She is the recipient of two National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards (including a record five Critics Awards for Best Actress), and two Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, she was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian honor.