Kiran Bala Govil ( Sachdev; 9 July 1944 – 18 November 2022), known professionally as Tabassum, was an Indian actress, talk show host and

YouTuber A YouTuber is an online personality and/or influencer who produces videos on the video-sharing platform YouTube, typically posting to their personal YouTube channel. The term was first used in the English language in 2006. Influence Influe ...

, who started her career as child actor Baby Tabassum in 1947. She later had a television career as the host of first TV talk show of

Indian television The television industry in India is very diverse and produces thousands of programs in many of the Indian languages. More than half of all Indian households own a television. As of 2016, the country had over 857 channels of which 184 were pay ...

, '' Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan''. It ran on National broadcaster

Doordarshan Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest b ...

from 1972 to 1993, wherein she interviewed film and TV personalities.

Early life and background

Tabassum was born in

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the secon ...

, then known as Bombay, in 1944 to Ayodhyanath Sachdev, an Indian freedom fighter, and Asghari Begum, a freedom fighter, journalist and author. She explained how she was named in an interview in 2014:

My father named me 'Tabassum', keeping my mother's religious sentiments in mind. My mother kept my name 'Kiran Bala', keeping my father's religious sentiments in mind. My name on all official documents was 'Kiran Bala Sachdev'. After marriage, it became 'Kiran Bala Govil'. 'Tabassum' is my screen name; it means ''muskhurahat'' (
smile A smile is a facial expression formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a Duchenne smile. Among humans, a smile expresses d ...
).

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 Nitin Bose (26 April 1897 – 14 April 1986) was an Indian film director, cinematographer and screenwriter of the nation's film industry. He was born in Calcutta and died in the same city. In the 1930s and early 1940s, he worked with New Theatre ...

, she played the childhood role of

Nargis Nargis Dutt (born Fatima Rashid; 1 June 1929 – 3 May 1981) was an Indian actress and politician who worked in Hindi cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, she made her screen debut in a minor role ...

; the hit song ''Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena'' sung by

Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar () (born as Hema Mangeshkar; 28 September 1929 – 06 February 2022) was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. She is widely considered to have been the greatest and most influential singers in India. Her con ...

and

Shamshad Begum Shamshad Begum (Hindi: शमशाद बेगम, IAST: ''Śamśād Bēgam''; 14 April 1919 – 23 April 2013) was an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry. Notable for her distinctive voice and r ...

was picturised on her. Also, in the next year, she appeared in another important film '' Baiju Bawra'' (1952) directed by

Vijay Bhatt Vijay Bhatt (born Vrajlal Jagneshwar Bhatt; 12 May 1907 – 17 October 1993) was a producer-director-screenwriter of Hindi cinema, who made such films as '' Ram Rajya'' (1943), '' Baiju Bawra'' (1952), '' Goonj Uthi Shehnai'' (1959) and '' Him ...

, where she appeared in the childhood role of

Meena Kumari Meena Kumari (born Mahjabeen Bano; 1 August 1933 – 31 March 1972) was an Indian actress and poet, who worked in Hindi films. Popularly known as ''The Tragedy Queen'', she was active between 1939 and 1972. Kumari is widely considered one of ...

. She also worked in the popular film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon starring Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh. She also starred in the beautiful song 'Aji qibla mohtarma'. After a gap, she reentered films in adult roles, working as a character actress. Tabassum young

Tabassum hosted the first talk show of Indian television, ''Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan'', which ran for 21 years from 1972 to 1993. Produced by Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai, it was based on interviews of film celebrities and became immensely popular.Conjugations: Marriage and Form in New Bollywood Cinema
Sangita Gopal, pp. 3, University of Chicago Press, 2012, , "... Further, Hindi film became far more integrated with other forms of media – as exemplified by the proliferation of film magazines such as Filmfare, Stardust, and Cine Blaze, as well as the phenomenal popularity of television shows such as ''Chitrahaar'' and ''Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan''..." 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 1985, she directed, produced and wrote her first film, ''Tum Par Hum Qurban''. 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 ''Ladies Special'' is an Indian television series that airs on Sony Entertainment Television. It premiered on 25 May 2009 along with a host of other new TV shows, as part of a major revamp by Sony TV. The show is about the lives of a group of ...

'' (2009) on

Zee TV Zee TV (stylised as ZEE TV) is a Hindi general entertainment pay television Pay television, also known as subscription television, premium television or, when referring to an individual service, a premium channel, refers to Subscription bus ...

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. In 2016, she launched her channel on YouTube, titled "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 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 Johnny Lever (born John Prakash Rao Janumala; 14 August 1957) is an Indian actor and popular comedian who is known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is one of the first stand-up comedians in India. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, i ...

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''.

Death and tributes

Tabassum suffered from gastrointestinal issues in her last days. She was admitted in hospital but passed away on 18 November 2022, after suffering two successive cardiac arrests. She was 78. Various celebrities including

Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...

, Twinkle Khanna, Adnan Sami,

Asha Parekh Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is a retired Indian actress, film director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful ...

, Waheeda Rehman,

Deepti Naval Deepti Naval (born 3 February 1952) is an Indian-born American actress, director, and writer, predominantly active in Hindi cinema. Her major contribution has been in the area of art cinema, winning critical acclaim for her sensitive and 'clos ...

and others condoled her death. Milk brand

Amul Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) is an Indian dairy state government cooperative society, based in Anand, Gujarat. Formed in 1946, it is a cooperative brand managed by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF), which today is ...

gave Tabassum a tribute with a special doodle.

Filmography

Source(s):

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 Bahar may refer to: Places Armenia * Bahar, the former name of Arpunk, a village in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia * Bahar, the former name of Kakhakn, a town in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia Northeast Africa * Bahir Dar or Bahar D ...

'' (1951) * '' Afsana'' (1951) as Young Meera * '' Baiju Bawra'' (1952) Young Gauri * ''Baap Beti'' (1954) * '' College Girl'' (1960) * ''

Mughal-e-Azam ''Mughal-e-Azam'' () is a 1960 Indian epic historical drama film produced and directed by K. Asif. Starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote, it follows the love affair between Mughal Prince Salim (who went on ...

'' (1960) * '' Dharmputra'' (1961) as Rekha Rai * ''

Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon ''Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon '' ( I've come back with the same heart) is a 1963 Indian Hindi-language film. The film became superhit at the box office. This was Nasir Hussain's second production (his first in colour), after the hit film '' Jab Py ...

'' (1963) * ''Dara Singh: Ironman'' (1964) * ''Zimbo Ka Beta'' (1966) * '' Ganwaar'' (1970) as Mistress * '' Bachpan'' (1970) as Lily – Tom's wife * '' Heer Raanjha'' (1970) * ''

Johny Mera Naam ''Johny Mera Naam'' () is a 1970 Indian Hindi-language crime action film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the roles of brothers separated in childhood. Hema Malini, Jeevan, Premnath, I. S. ...

'' (1970) * '' Shri Krishna Leela'' (1971) as Rasili * ''Shree Krishnarjun Yuddh'' (1971) as Chitrangini * '' Ladki Pasand Hai'' (1971) * ''

Gambler Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling thus requires three ele ...

'' (1971) * '' Adhikar'' (1971) * '' Tere Mere Sapne'' (1971) as Maltimala's Hairdresser * '' Shaadi Ke Baad'' (1972) as Basanti * ''

Maa Bahen Aur Biwi Maa Bahen Aur Biwi is a 1974 Bollywood drama film directed by Harbans Kumar. Cast *Kabir Bedi *Prema Narayan *Raj Kishore * David Abraham *Anjana *Jankidas *Tabassum *Tun Tun Tun Tun

'' (1974) * ''

Sur Sangam ''Sur Sangam'' is a 1985 Indian Hindi-language musical drama film written, and directed by K. Viswanath. It is the Hindi version of Viswanath's classical hit Sankarabharanam Sankarabharanam may refer to: * ''Sankarabharanam'' (1980 film), an ...

'' (1985) * '' Naache Mayuri'' (1986) * ''

Chameli Ki Shaadi ''Chameli Ki Shaadi'' () is a 1986 Hindi-language comedy film directed by Basu Chatterjee starring Anil Kapoor and Amrita Singh. Though it was fairly average at the box office due to low cost, it was critically acclaimed. Over the years, the fi ...

'' (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, STAR Plus) as Kishan's grandmother * ''

'' (2009,

) as Herself (Judge) * ''Tab Aur Ab'' (2020, Tata Play)

Web

* ''Tabassum Talkies'' (2016 - 2022, YouTube)

References

External links

Tabassum's Youtube Channel
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Tabassum 1944 births 2022 deaths Indian film actresses Actresses in Hindi cinema Indian women television presenters Indian television presenters 20th-century Indian actresses Indian television actresses Indian television talk show hosts Masters of ceremonies Indian magazine editors Indian comedy writers Indian women comedians Actresses from Mumbai Indian child actresses Indian women television journalists Indian television journalists 20th-century Indian journalists 21st-century Indian journalists 21st-century Indian women writers 21st-century Indian writers Writers from Mumbai Women writers from Maharashtra Actresses in Hindi television 20th-century Indian women writers Women magazine editors