Bollywood is used to age-gap romance, with younger heroines paired with older heroes. This age-old tradition has raised many eyebrows in the past, with questions being raised on why the industry has double standards. One such incident which was in the news was when the beautiful actress Tabu declined playing the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s wife in Baghban. At just 32 years of age, she declined to be the love interest of 61-year-old Amitabh Bachchan, allegedly saying, “Mujhe maaf kardo” (Forgive me). Her choice was regarded as a daring step in a profession where young women are typically stereotyped playing the wives of much older heroes.
The Baghban Casting Controversy
The 2003 movie Baghban, which was directed by Ravi Chopra, was a tear-jerking yet sentimental drama depicting the misery of old parents who were ignored by their children. Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini were featured as the lead characters in the film as an elderly couple suffering during their twilight years. The movie touched hearts and is one of the finest family dramas in Bollywood.
But Hema Malini was booked for the role prior to which the makers allegedly approached Tabu to play Amitabh Bachchan’s wife. Tabu did not like the idea of a 32-year-old woman wooing a 61-year-old man and politely declined the offer. Her refusal was deemed a rare act in Bollywood, where heroines hardly have any choice in such situations.
Why Tabu’s Refusal Was a Risky Move
Tabu’s turn-down to act in Baghban was important on a number of levels:
Breaking Bollywood’s Age Gap Tradition
It is usual in Bollywood for male heroes in their 50s and 60s to be paired with significantly younger heroines. Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma (Jab Harry Met Sejal), Salman Khan and Disha Patani (Radhe), and Rajinikanth with numerous actresses two decades younger are examples. The opposite, where the older heroine is paired with a younger hero, is very rare. Tabu’s refusal went quietly against this long-standing industry convention.
Respect for Age-Appropriate Roles
Tabu was 32 years old at the height of her career and roles appropriate for her age and persona. Taking on the role of a man almost twice her age’s wife would have typecast her into a string of older roles too early in her life. By not taking the role, she protected herself from getting typecast into inappropriate roles for her real age.
Standing Up for Herself
Bollywood actresses typically find it hard to say no to their decisions, as they fear losing other opportunities in the future if they turn down mega films. Tabu, though, who is reputed to be stubborn and fussy about choosing films, stood her ground and said no. This raised an eyebrow for other actresses to say no to their career instead of succumbing to industry expectations.
Hema Malini: The Right Option
Subsequently, Hema Malini was also offered Amitabh Bachchan’s wife’s role in Baghban, and she proved to be a suitable choice. She was around her mid-50s at that time, so the on-screen pair seemed even more real. Although Baghban was a class film, many people do think that the Tabu’s rejection helped the film’s overall realism.
Tabu’s Career and Decisions: Remaining True to Herself
Tabu is among India’s best and most talented actresses. Unlike most actresses of her era, she never did have a desire for conventional commercial cinema. Rather, she has gone about her assignments with commitment according to her artistic inclinations.
Some of her finest performances are:
Chandni Bar (2001) – A raw and intense performance of a bar dancer.
Maqbool (2003) – A Shakespearean tragedy in which she gave a haunted performance.
The Namesake (2006) – An immaculate performance of an immigrant mother torn between two worlds.
Andhadhun (2018) – A thriller in which she played a calculating and cold woman.
Drishyam (2015, 2022) – A commanding role as a cop opposite Ajay Devgn.
Her decision to not do Baghban didn’t conflict with her professional life. Instead, she kept going on and working in challenging roles and solidified her place as one of the greatest actresses Bollywood has ever produced.
Changing Dynamics of Bollywood
While Bollywood still has not been able to break the cast problem of gigantic age gaps, change is brewing. Actresses now prefer meaty roles over run-of-the-mill “heroine” roles. Kahaani, Raazi, Piku, and Gangubai Kathiawadi have proven that women can carry movies on their shoulders without being arm candies to ancient heroes.
Even Amitabh Bachchan himself has taken age-suitable roles in the recent past. Piku (2015), Pink (2016), and Chehre (2021) are some of those films where he acts as characters in their rightful years rather than going for out-of-the-world romance with far younger women.
Final Thoughts
Tabu’s turning down of Baghban was not an instance of one role alone—it was a turning down of the waycasting gone wrong in Bollywood. She gave an example to other actresses who are required to ask for roles that honor their age and talent.
While Baghban went on to become a hit later with Hema Malini starring in it, Tabu’s denial is one of the daring ones in the history of Bollywood. It is a wake-up call in the guise of a reminder to all that notwithstanding how far gone Bollywood becomes for youth and physical looks, there are some women who will stand up for what they believe in even if at the expense of box office success.
Would Bollywood have been different otherwise if actresses took a cue from Tabu’s book? Perhaps. But this much is certain—Tabu’s courage to utter “Mujhe maaf kardo” was a turning point that made everyone stop and think about the industry’s age-old tradition.
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