Tabassum, rather ‘Baby Tabassum’ to be precise is no more. She was 78. Death came in Mumbai on Saturday late evening. She began her film career as Baby Tabassum in 1947 with ‘Nargis’, ‘Mera Suhag’, and ‘majhdhar’. As a child artiste, she acted in movies such as Jogan (1950), Deedar (1951) and Baiju Bawra (1952). Later on, she featured in films such as Talash (1969), Heer Raanjha (1970), Johny Mera Naam (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1971).

Tabassum was better known as ‘Baby Tabassum’ as she played childhood roles in numerous films and attracted the attention of people.

Many (especially the new generation) may not be familiar with her name but those who are a generation older and before would immediately recall her as the bubbly young lady who took interviews of celebrity from the entertainment industry predominantly Hindi filmdom. Her interview with pop sensation also called queen of pop, Nazia Hassan was massive hit as she knew how to open up the shy Nazia who had by then created history in India with her popular numbers like ‘aap jaise koi’ from film Qurbani and album ‘Disco Diwanee’ (with brother Zoheb Hassan).

Young generation or GenNext may be going gaga over talk-shows by actor Simi Garewal and filmmaker Karan Johar, but Tabassum much before them created a niche for herself. She had an unique style of asking questions.

Draped in a sari with a flower tucked in her hair, the ever-smiling actor presented her lively and endearing interactions with film personalities on Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan programme on Doordarshan from 1972 to 1993.

Tabassum died at a hospital on Friday evening.