Veteran and well-known television show host Tabassum passed away on 18th November in Bombay due to two cardiac arrests suffered in a matter of minutes in Holy Family Hospital at Bandra, where she was admitted for a gastrointestinal ailment. In keeping with her wish, her family broke the news of her demise only after her last rites were performed. She is survived by her husband, a son and his family. She was married to Arun Govil’s brother, Vijay Govil. Tabassum was 78.
She was a phenomenal television host, having presented the extremely popular Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan show on Doordarshan for 21 years — from 1972 to 1993. It remains one of the longest running chat shows in television history and is remembered even today. Tabassum interviewed film stars and celebrities on the show in her inimitable style. She was always immaculately dressed and never forget to wear her trademark smile. She had a fantastic command over Hindi and Urdu, and had a way with words, which made her an endearing chat show host.
Tabassum had also acted in several films. As a child actress, she worked in films like Jogan, Nargis, Mera Suhaag, Manjhdhar, Bari Behen, Sargam, Sangram, Deedar and Baiju Bawra. The super-hit song, Bachpan ke din bhulaa na dena, was in Deedar in which Parikshit Sahni also starred as a child actor. As a youngster, she did a bit role in Mughal-E-Azam, Adhikar, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Pyar Ka Mausam, Heer Ranjha and some more films. She made a guest appearance in Govinda starrer Swarg. She starred in a Guajarti film, Lakho Vanjaro, in the female lead opposite Pradeep Kumar. She produced and directed Tum Par Hum Qurban in 1985, in which she gave break to her son, Hoshang Govil, in the lead role. In the last few years of her life, Tabassum kept herself busy with her own YouTube channel, Tabassum Talkies, in which she discussed the lives of yesteryear stars and celebrities and also spoke of films of a bygone era.
Tabassum’s name will always be remembered for her excellent chat show hosting skills.
A prayer meeting in her memory will be held on 21st November from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at Arya Samaj, Santacruz West, Bombay.