Tabassum

Tabassum (born Kiran Bala Sachdev; 9 July 1944

Career Tabassum made her film debut as a child actor with Nargis (1947) followed by Mera Suhaag (1947), Manjhdhar (1947) and Bari Behen (1949). Later in Deedar (1951), directed by Nitin Bose, she played the childhood role of Nargis; the hit song Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum was picturised on her. This also led to a career as stage compere. She was also the editor of Grihalaxmi, a Hindi women's magazine for 15 years and wrote many joke books. In 2006, she returned to television, as an actress in Pyaar Ke Do Naam: Ek Raadha, Ek Shyaam, produced by Rajshri Productions. She became a judge in a reality stand-up comedy show Ladies Special (2009) on Zee TV.

Tabassum continued to work as an interviewer for television and was doing a TV show on TV Asia USA and Canada titled Abhi Toh Main Jawaan Hoon based on the Golden Era of Hindi Cinema directed by her son Hoshang Govil for 12 years. In 2016, she launched her channel on YouTube, titled "TabassumTalkies" Produced and Directed by her son Hoshang Govil who is carrying her legacy by hosting Tabassum Talkies which consists of nostalgic talks, interviews of celebrities, shayaris, jokes and more. Subsequently, she returned to television with "Tab Aur Ab" in 2020.

Personal life Tabassum was married to Vijay Govil, elder brother of television actor Arun Govil. Their son Hoshang Govil (born 1961) had brief career as a lead in three films Tum Par Hum Qurbaan (1985), which was produced and directed by Tabassum and introduced Johnny Lever for the first time on screen as a comedian, Kartoot (1987) and Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeah (1996) produced by Zee TV and directed by J Om Prakash (grandfather of Hrithik Roshan). In 2009, her granddaughter Khushi (daughter of Hoshang) made her film debut with Hum Phir Mile Na Mile. She was admitted in hospital but died on 18 November 2022, after suffering two successive cardiac arrests. She was 78. Various celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Twinkle Khanna, Adnan Sami, Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Deepti Naval and others condoled her death. Milk brand Amul gave Tabassum a tribute with a special doodle.

Filmography

Films

Nargis (1947) Mera Suhaag (1947) Manjhdhar (1947) Bari Behen (1949) as Munni Chhoti Bhabhi (1950) Sargam (1950) Sangram (1950) Jogan (1950) as Mangu Gumashta (1951) Aaram (1951) Deedar (1951) Bahar (1951) Afsana (1951) as Young Meera Baiju Bawra (1952) Young Gauri Baap Beti (1954) College Girl (1960) Mughal-e-Azam (1960) Dharmputra (1961) as Rekha Rai Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) Dara Singh: Ironman (1964) Zimbo Ka Beta (1966) Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967) Ganwaar (1970) as Mistress Bachpan (1970) as Lily – Tom's wife Heer Raanjha (1970) Johny Mera Naam (1970) Shri Krishna Leela (1971) as Rasili Shree Krishnarjun Yuddh (1971) as Chitrangini Ladki Pasand Hai (1971) Gambler (1971) Adhikar (1971) Tere Mere Sapne (1971) as Maltimala's Hairdresser Hulchul (1971) Shaadi Ke Baad (1972) as Basanti Maa Bahen Aur Biwi (1974) Sur Sangam (1985) Naache Mayuri (1986) Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) Swarg (1990) as Herself

Television Source(s):

Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1972 – 1993, Doordarshan) Pyaar Ke Do Naam: Ek Raadha, Ek Shyaam (2006, StarPlus) as Kishan's grandmother Ladies Special (2009, Zee TV) as Herself (Judge) Tab Aur Ab (2020, Tata Play)

Web

Tabassum Talkies (2016–2022, YouTube)