Tabu cheers for buddy Shilpa

May 10, 2007 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, May 10 (IANS) Tabu made a rare public appearance for the first trial show of Anurag Basu's "Metro", which was premiered at the Leicester Square theatre in London Tuesday. But there was a very special reason why the recluse was there.

Shilpa, who's holding her breath for the film to carry forward her international appeal, is one of Tabu's closest friends.

"In fact, I introduced Tabu to the gym some years ago. Since then we've remained friends," Shilpa told IANS.

There was an added reason for Tabu's presence at the "Metro" screening Saturday. Tabu had originally been offered Shilpa's role.

"But Tabu had money issues. In fact, monetary sizing down has always been a problem for her. She has lost count of the films that she finally said no to in spite of outstanding author-backed roles because she felt she was being exploited monetarily. Money is a touchy issue for Tabu. And why not? Her home in Hyderabad is a pricey passion," said a source.

Though Tabu seemed to love Shilpa's performance, others, who saw the film, felt otherwise.

"The general verdict in this performance-oriented film is that Irrfan Khan steals the show completely from the entire cast. He's the best, followed by Kay Kay Menon, Konkona Sen Sharma and Kangana Ranaut, in that order," said the source.

The film, set in a metropolitan city, touches upon sensitive issues and revolves around the lives of people who live in high-rise buildings. It had its Dubai premiere Wednesday.

She might have been the queen of the marquee. But somehow Tabu has chosen to be a recluse, lately accepting roles randomly rather than by any design.

"Tabu doesn't really care about stardom. She has lived her life the way she wanted to. And now she isn't running after roles. Her current obsession is her home in Hyderabad, which she's putting together brick by brick," informed the source.