Prophecy Tabu actress ’empowered’ by women who take the initiative

One of Bollywood’s biggest stars says women are taking an increasingly leading role in global film and television productions.

Tabu appears in the latest episode of Dune: Prophecy, the series inspired by Frank Herbert’s classic novels and recent films.

Originally titled Dune: Sisterhood, Tabu says women, including director Anna Foerster, played a prominent role in the show both in front of and behind the camera.

“Being surrounded, feeling empowered and feeling like you’re the ones running the show… it’s really nice to see that happen,” she tells BBC Asian Network News.

It’s a trend that Tabu, a well-known name in Hindi cinema, believes is not just limited to international projects, but is something he has noticed in his native industry.

“There has been a big change around the world and women are taking center stage in many places.”

Tabu points to her role in the hit Hindi film Crew, with a female lead cast of herself, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon.

“It’s part of the big change and it’s also because the woman I was working with has achieved a lot in her fields,” says Tabu, 53.

“They have dominance, they have control over their craft.

“They have a good sense of how to deal with people because I feel like it’s all about people management.

“That comes with experience, maturity and a lot of work over so many years of their respective careers. So that felt comforting, safe and you felt like they understood.”

Dune: The prophecy is described by critics as “a bracingly different sci-fi dominated by women at every level”, with fans In enchanted India for Tabu’s appearance on the show.

While she says schedules aligned to allow her to play the role of Sister Francesca, the opportunity to work in a different environment with an international cast was appealing.

“I always love these experiences. Because I don’t live in that world.”

She says people from Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Germany participated, which helped her understand different people and cultures.

“It was very exciting, it added a lot more fun and drama on screen, of course, but off screen,” he says.

“I was able to interact with people from many different parts of the world.”

Tabu’s career in the industry spans several decades, with acting credits including other Western productions such as Life of Pi and A Suitable Boy.

But despite everything she has achieved, the actress says she doesn’t want to look back.

“Because I feel like I’ve stuttered (yes I do).

“(Sometimes I feel like) I’m still new and I’m still learning a lot.

“The only thing that makes me feel very grateful and overwhelmed is that I received a tremendous amount of love and respect from people or from my audience.”

And she says she remains motivated by the types of roles she plays, like Francesca.

“That I should be able to experience this character in a whole new way.

“That I should be able to present this character in a completely new way (to the audience).

“Cinema is more than 100 years old, they have been seeing things happen, actors and characters.”

Tabu also says she saw the role as an opportunity to discover more about herself.

“Because acting is such a living experience, you’re lucky not to have the luxury of your work being stuck in one place.

“You still have to get in front of the camera, explore yourself and express yourself every day when you’re on film.

“That’s the only tool you have. I see it personally.”

Listen to Ankur Desai’s show on BBC Asian Network live from 15:00 to 18:00 Monday to Thursday – or listen to us here.