Why Tabu never used her father’s surname; When actor said, ' I never thought it was important for me'

Tabu has always been known as a very strong actor, but her life story is also very strong in its own way. She spoke long ago about how she never really used her father’s surname and why she did not feel a connection with him. Actress shared in an old interview that she grew up without him and that this shaped her life from the very start. Tabu spoke about her childhood in an old interview on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. She said, “I had a great childhood, we lived in Hyderabad all our lives. I lived with my grandparents after my parents divorced. My mum was a teacher and I spent more time with her mother.” She said her grandmother played a very big role in her life. She explained, “My grandmother would pray and read books, and I grew up with that. I was very timid, I did not have a voice. In fact, even after becoming a heroine, an actor, I did not have a voice.” Her childhood was quiet, filled with books, prayers, and strong women who looked after her. She said this is what made her calm and simple as a person.Tabu shared openly that she never thought about using her father’s surname, Hashmi. She said, “I never really used it. I never thought it was important for me to use my father’s surname. It was always Tabassum Fatima, which was my middle name. In school, Fatima was my surname.”For her, the name she grew up with felt enough. She never felt the need to take something from a person she didn’t know.She also spoke very honestly about her emotional distance. Tabu said, “I have no memories of him. My sister has met him on occasion, but I have never really felt like meeting him. I am not curious about him. I am happy the way I am, the way I have grown up. I am very settled in my own life.”Her real name is Tabassum, but she was given the name Tabu by Dev Anand. He saw her at a birthday party and later cast her in Hum Naujawan, where she played his daughter. She was credited as ‘Tabbu’ in that film. Before that, she had a small role at age 11 in Bazaar. Tabu is now known for choosing strong and bold roles. She has given powerful performances in many languages. She acted in films like Ninne Pelladata, Kaalapani, Iruvar, The Namesake, Haider, Maqbool, Jeet, and many more. She also won the National Award twice, for Maachis and Chandni Bar.