I want to play a warrior: Tabu

Thimphu: Actor Tabu, who got rave reviews for movies like 'Fitoor', 'Drishyam' and 'Maqbool' says she wants to essay the role of a warrior. Speaking at a packed session at the seventh edition of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival here, the actor, known for her powerhouse performances, said that she can do justice to such a role.

"I want to do the role of a warrior and I am sure I will look good in that role," said Tabu. 

The three-day festival, which concluded on Sunday, saw the participation of over 50 authors from India, Bhutan, Australia and Bangladesh, among other countries. 

The national award winner, who is a travel buff, added that she enjoyed her first trip to Bhutan, describing it as a land of spirituality and peace.

"I am living in complete happiness here and I haven't walked so much in recent times. I am learning mandala painting here," she said. 

Speaking to the media later, the actor said that social media has never fascinated her and she chooses to stay away from it.

"I don't find a reason to be on twitter or Facebook. This is my temperament and I can't put myself out 24/7 out there. However, I am not judgmental about others being there," said the actress. 

The actor known for her versatile performances, also said that she hates labelleling and her selection of roles are not deliberate. 

"I never want to stick to one genre of movies and was opened to do everything. Most stabilizing part of my career is that I have done all genres. I hate classification," said the actor who identifies herself more with the character in 2007 movie 'Cheeni Kum', with Amitabh Bachchan. 

Talking about her noteworthy roles in "Maqbool" and "Haider", directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, Tabu said that it was a life-changing experience for her. Though she was reluctant to play the role of a mother, she won over her fears, she added.

"Vishal wrote the roles for me and have lot of faith in him. The conflict was playing the mother and I defeated the fear ultimately. Though the characters are dark, I tried to connect with their emotional quotient. Not all films and characters give you the chance to express the way you wanted," she explained.

The actor, who drew inspiration from talk show host Oprah Winfrey and author Mayo Angelo admitted that her roles in films like 'Maachis' and 'Chandni Bar' have made her thinking.

"When I did 'Maachis' I was playing a young girl who takes to militancy. Till 'Chandni Bar', I had no idea of the underbelly of Mumbai. These characters made me thinking. I couldn't read beyond a few pages of 'Chandni Bar'. Every film has opened my mind," she said.

Though she has portrayed many women-oriented roles, Tabu doesn't want to be slotted as a feminist

" I don't disown feminism but I don't believe in such labels," she said, adding that young female Bollywood actors are getting varied roles and better remuneration than before.

Contrary to her image of an actor of the parallel cinema, Tabu saif that she loves to do more light-hearted movies.

"I want to do more roles like 'Biwi No. 1' and 'Hera Pheri'. Working in comedy movies is fun and you discover new ways to make things funny. I loved working with David Dhawan, Govinda, and Priyadarshan," she said.