End of an era

1944-2022

It was a Saturday evening of 19th November 2022. I was sitting on my sofa and watching the 1973 film Dhund suddenly happened to check my phone and found a post on Facebook on Tabassumji. Firstly thought it would be a normal post, as Tabassumji’s posts were quite common in our groups.

But it took me by shock what I read further. It said will miss u Tabassumji RIP. I was stunned for a minute and hoped that it could be a rumor and typed her name on Google where various publications had started covering the news. While my Whatsapp too started receiving the same messages.

I had to accept the truth that the legend is no more with us. She was someone who had viewers across many generations of the country.

The world of Hindi cinema will always be incomplete without the contribution of Tabassumji. So, to write something about her will always be a small effort, with the kind of contribution she had in the film world over the last 75 years, between 1947 to 2022.

She started as a child artist, gradually we saw her as an actress, then we saw her shine through as host,interviewer. She also turned producer, director and embraced the newer mediums by becoming a Youtuber.

Over the years we have seen lot many child artists, who turned actors in adulthood, but very few tasted success like Padmini Kolhapure, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Sarika.But one of the earlier actresses who started as a successful child artist as well was Baby Tabassum.

Baby Tabassum was born in British India in Mumbai to Ayodhyanath Sachdev a freedom fighter who fought for freedom with Bhagat Singh and Asghari Begum on 09th July 1944 as Kiran Bala Sachdev

The very first film which she did was Nargis in 1947 and then there was no end she went on to so many films as child artist like Mera Suhaag 1947, Manjdhar 1947, Badi Behen 1949, Choti Bhabhi 1950, Sargam 1950, Jogan 1950, Aaram 1951, Deedar 1951, Bahar 1951, Afsana 1951, Baiju Bawra 1952 and Baap Beti 1954.

While acting as a child artist Tabassumji also managed to complete her education and did her BA from Aligarh University.

During her teens and adulthood she worked in films like Mughal E Azam 1960, College Girl 1960, Dharamputra 1960, Dara Singh : Iron man 1964, Mohabbhat Isko Kehte Hain 1965, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon 1966, Zimb Ka Beta 1966, Lootera Aur Jaadugar 1968, Abhilasha 1968, Johny Mera Naam 1970, Tere Mere Sapne 1971.

Though she worked in these films with big names but didn’t find much success as an actress where she also played lead roles in some films.

But something big was waiting for her when television arrived in India. She hosted the first ever talk show of Indian television for Doordarshan. The show was called Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan which is one of the longest running show on television of India from 1972 to 1993.

On the show Tabassumji would interview celebrities of Hindi cinema and their journey in the film world. This show became quite popular amongst people. Television was a big thing that time and very few could afford it, but people made sure not to miss the episodes and would go either to their neighbor’s place or even far off friend’s places to see Tabassumji interviewing the celebrities.

What made the show lovable was the way Tabassumji presented the show and approached the celebrities. Her warm and smiling presence, the sweetness she used in her interviews made her an household name everywhere. This also gave her a new lease of career in stage anchoring; and as a show host, she not only reigned in India but also internationally.

Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan’s success was not matchable to anything on television during that era or even today. But Tabassumji continued to act in films like Hum Naujawaan 1985, Nache Mayuri 1986 and above all Chameli Ki Shaadi 1985.

While films like Agneepath 1990, Swarg 1990 and Khilaaf 1991 had shown her in a different Avatar.

Around the same time she decided to launch her son Hoshang Govil as a hero in Tum Par hum Qurban 1985, which was produced and directed by her, in which she also had a major role. This film is also remembered as Tabassumji introduced Johny Lever in mainstream cinema as a comedian.

During the boom of television industry she acted in the well-known Star Plus serial Pyar Ke Do Naam Ek Radha Ek Shyam in 2006. This was one of her last acting assignments.

In the new age of digital world, Tabassumji decided to change with times and interact with her fans with social media as means of communication.

She, along with her son Hoshang Govil reinvented Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan as Tabassum Talkies in 2016. This was now directed and produced by her son himself.

Tabassum Talkies started airing on Youtube on weekly basis every Monday where her fans would eagerly wait for her episodes.

This time she would not interview the celebrities in person but would share their journey of life personally and towards the industry. There would some episodes where old footage from Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan would be used when she interviewed those actors personally all
those years back.

While the younger generation who didn’t know much about many legendary actors would send their comments, questions to her videos; which went on to prove that she is the only source where we can get detailed and perfect information on old actors. Tabassum Talkies also became a big hit as Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan and continues its journey even today.

In the journey of 75 years in the industry Tabassumji has almost interviewed everyone from Dutt’s, Deols, Bachchans, Khans, Kapoors and Kumars and actresses across several generations. This makes her contribution unimaginable.

In 2021 she was diagnosed with COVID and had taken a break from Tabassum Talkies for some episodes, which were then hosted by her grand daughter Karishma Govil, who also received the same love as her grandmother.

After few episodes, Tabassumji returned as the host for Tabassum Talkies and there was no looking back. But in mid-2022, she had to take a break again due to her cough and cold. This time, the show was hosted by none other than her son Hoshang Govil and needless to say, ardent fans showered the same love on him as his mother.

Hoshang received the same love from his fans. But there would be comments on videos where Tabassumji’s fans would pray for her speedy recovery and write ‘miss u’ , ‘comeback soon’.

Fans were eagerly waiting for her comeback but on 18th November 2022, she passed away, leaving her family and her fans in tears. It was her wish not to disclose her death news until 2 days which the family fulfilled. Tributes started pouring all over social media on night of 19th November 2022. Few, like me, couldn’t take this news and were hoping it to be fake news but destiny had other plans.

Tabassumji left behind a legacy and a wonderful family. Husband Vijay Govil, who is elder brother to Arun Govil of Ramayan fame, son Hoshang Govil and his wife Hemali Govil and her granddaughters Karishma and Khushi.

I am lucky to share by birthday with the legend on the 9th of July. Last few years, I had been in touch with her son Hoshang Govil and would often refer to her as Tabassum aunty and inquire about her.
This closeness makes me sad writing these words of tribute.

Gone to soon Tabasum Aunty.