Tabu Likely To Join Mira Nair’s Amrita Sher-Gil Biopic Amri, Shoot Set for 2026

Bollywood fans may have another reason to be excited as Mira Nair gears up to bring the life of legendary painter Amrita Sher-Gil to the big screen. The acclaimed filmmaker is fast-tracking her biopic, tentatively titled Amri, and there are reports that veteran actress Tabu may join the cast in a notable cameo. If confirmed, this would mark the third time Tabu teams up with Nair, after their memorable collaborations in The Namesake and A Suitable Boy.

The project has been a passion project for Nair for several years. Initially announced in 2020 following the release of A Suitable Boy, the film will chronicle Amrita Sher-Gil’s journey from 1915 to 1941, spanning India, Hungary, and France. According to Mid-Day, Nair spent four years convincing

producers to back the period drama. Casting a respected and versatile actor like Tabu is expected to further elevate the film’s profile and lend credibility to the ensemble.

While the lead role is still unconfirmed, the biopic is reported to feature over 15 actors from the Hindi film industry. Tanya Maniktala has clarified that she has not been cast as the protagonist, keeping the central role a mystery. Filming is scheduled to commence in March 2026, with the final cast expected to be announced by December.

Tabu has consistently impressed audiences with her versatility. From the comedy-horror hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 to the romantic thriller Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, she has successfully balanced mainstream appeal with nuanced performances. Her recent work with Neeraj Pandey on Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha marked her ninth collaboration with Ajay Devgn, showcasing her continued relevance and range in Indian cinema.

Tabu began her cinematic journey as a teenager with a credited role in Dev Anand’s Hum Naujawan (1985) and later took on her first leading role in the Telugu film Coolie No. 1 (1991). She gained wider recognition in Bollywood with Vijaypath (1994), earning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Her breakthrough came with the politically charged thriller Maachis (1996), in which she portrayed a young woman affected by the Punjab insurgency, earning her the National Film Award for Best Actress. That same year, she achieved commercial success with films such as Ninne Pelladata, Kadhal Desam, Saajan Chale Sasural, and Jeet.

Over the following years, Tabu consolidated her status as both a critically acclaimed and commercially successful actress. Notable box-office hits included Iruvar and Border (1997), Biwi No.1 and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), as well as Kandukondain Kandukondain and Hera Pheri (2000). She earned critical accolades for portraying layered, complex characters in Virasat (1997), Hu Tu Tu (1999), and Astitva (2000), each of which won her the Filmfare Critics Award. Her nuanced performance as a bar dancer in Chandni Bar (2001) won her a second National Film Award.

Tabu continued to impress with diverse roles, including the romantic comedy Cheeni Kum (2007), which brought her a record fourth Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress, and in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean adaptations Maqbool (2004) and Haider (2014), the latter earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also expanded into international cinema with appearances in The Namesake (2006) and Life of Pi (2012).

Among her biggest commercial successes in India are the comedies Golmaal Again (2017), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022)—which won her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress—and Crew (2024); the action drama Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020); and the crime thrillers Andhadhun (2018) and Drishyam 2 (2022).