Tabbu was in London last week to do a star studded
show in the company of Salman Khan, Sunil Shetty
,Urmilla and the king himself Amitabh ji and many
others. This was more like the annual pilgrimage to the
London circuit of Bollywood fans.

After much persuasion (I personally think it was my
charm, which worked eventually) she agreed to talk to
me about what's going on in her career and her life and also where future is likely to take her.

Meeting Tabbu for the first time was a treat in itself and then having the opportunity to talk to her
frankly was a delight and a pleasure. Tabbu is such a down to earth person -- while talking to her, if
you did not know that she is such a big star, you would not feel it.

Her style is so natural and easy going that within minutes of meeting her you feel as though she is
the best friend you have ever had.

Tabbu started her film career in 1994 with PEHLA PEHLA PYAR and became a hit straight away.
But her popularity really shot up in 1996 with the release of her movie MAACHIS. Tabbu became
the super hit and since then it has not stopped. Having Tabbu in a movie is a guarantee of success
in Bollywood.

I asked Tabbu how she manages to play such difficult
roles with such great ease? Tabbu said "I do not act. I
just am myself and the rest just comes easy." I did say
she was a natural didn't I.

I asked how does she manage to stay so friendly all the
time and carry a big smile non-stop? Tabbu said "I am
a happy person by nature. I love being with people. I
am a people person and being in their company gives
me happiness and makes me smile. I never feel that I
am any different than the girl next door. I greet people
with my heart and happiness and I think people can see
if you are genuinely pleased to see them or not --hence
they greet you with even more pleasure and delight."

"I believe life is too short not to enjoy it 'you only live once' so do make the most of it while you
can. A smile does not cost anything but it creates such happiness that I think that it's God's
biggest gift to humanity so I say 'smile and be happy'."

Tabbu's real name is Tabassum. She is tall, slim, friendly and a real pleasure and a delight to be
with. I asked if it was difficult to be so popular and having a long line of men looking for her
attention. She laughed in her care free style and said "I have never ever had even one man fighting
to get my attention let alone a line of them."

I asked her about any marriage plans.Tabbu said "Nothing is finalised yet so let's see what the
future holds." She avoided talking about Sajid Nadiadwala the younger brother of Firoz Nadiadwala,
who just released the movie KARTOOS.

Tabbu was going to get married to Sajid last December but the plans just fizzled away .

I asked Tabbu if there were any chances of getting some zarda pilau from her in the near future.
She replied "Not in the very near future but then again, you never know, anything can happen
tomorrow." Tabbu agreed with me on that and I think she was pleased to see the back end of this
topic.

I asked what Tabbu likes to do in her free time. She just laughed her head off.

"What is free time? I wish I knew what was free time -- I don't have any.

But I like to chat with my friends and I would like to spend more time to do some charity work. I like
to sit at home and do nothing but alas………."

I asked where does she see herself in the future? She gave me a big broad smile which I think said
it all. I see her name with the biggest stars of Bollywood in the future.

I asked Tabbu if she would like to visit Pakistan. "Of course I would love to go to Pakistan. People
there are so friendly and nice I am sure I would feel at home. And I would love to go to the designer
shops in Lahore and Karachi."

I asked if she has a message for her fans. She smiled
and said "I love them all with all my heart. All my fans are important to me."

I asked if I could take some pictures but she said if only
I would join her in those photos and guess what? I was
right next to her like a shot.

It was wonderful and a pleasure to be in her company. I
think I am rather lucky on that account don't you agree?

By Shahid Malik