Veteran Bollywood actress Tabassum Govil, who hosted the iconic television series Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan for two decades, passed away on Friday following a massive cardiac arrest. She was 78. Born in 1944 in Mumbai as Kiranbala to Ayodhyanath Sachdev and author-journalist Asghari Begum, she made her debut as a child actor at the age of three with the film Nargis (1947), which was followed by Mera Suhaar and Majdhaar.

Over the years, Tabassum became one of the biggest child stars. Post her teens, she starred in films like Badi Behen (1949), Jogan (1950), Baiju Bawra (1952), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Gambler (1971), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) and Swarg (1990), among others. Her show Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, which aired from 1972 to 1993, became immensely popular.

The ever-smiling actress interviewed various Bollywood actors on the show and won a lot of appreciation for her hosting skills. On the personal front, she was married to Vijay Govil, elder brother of actor Arun Govil. Tributes and nostalgia-filled posts poured in from members of the film fraternity expressing grief on her sudden demise.

Remembering his sister-in-law, Arun Govil said, “She was my dearest family member and an extremely loving, compassionate and gracious woman. When I relocated from Meerut to Mumbai, I lived with my brother and Tabassum for many years. I used to accompany her to the sets of Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan and watch her interview actors. I witnessed her work very hard for many years. She was a foodie, who also loved cooking. She also used to write well. I will always remember her as a warm-hearted person.”

David Dhawan, who directed Swarg, Tabassum’s last film as an actor, said, “She was a pleasant person to work with. She began as a child artiste and later hosted the chat show Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, which became very popular. I used to love her show. I will always remember her as a fabulous actress, who was good with her diction and dialogues, and used to be so natural in front of the camera.”

Deepti Naval, who was among those interviewed by the actress-host, shared, “My first interview on television was with Tabassum ji. She knew the industry well because she was also an actress. She was also aware of the struggles and ups and downs in the lives of most actors. That was one of the reasons her talk show on Doordarshan was such a big hit. When she had interviewed me, she had touched upon the right topics and asked great questions. I remember that I had enjoyed the interview thoroughly.”

Indraneil Sengupta, who played Tabassum’s grandson in the TV show Pyaar Ke Do Naam Ek Raadha Ek Shyaam in 2006, said, “She was wonderful to work with. All of us know that she was a brilliant actor, but most importantly, she was this motherly, rather grandmotherly figure on the set. She was always smiling, very sweet, and caring. She was very fond of Barkha (Bisht) and me. I remember she had invited us over for lunch or dinner after the show ended and we were fed some scrumptious food. We were in touch for quite a long time after the show got over, but eventually lost touch. I feel sad that we hadn’t spoken for a long time and today she is no more.”

Remembering the late actress, Twinkle said, “She was truly a legend. As a child, I used to watch Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan with Tabassum ji as its spectacular host. I remember her nasal twang and the rose tucked behind her ear. All these blurry recollections wrapped around me like cashmere layers on a winter morning. May she rest in peace (sic).”

— With inputs from Tanvi Trivedi, Onkar Kulkarni and Neha Maheshwri

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The death of actor Tabassum on Friday has brought an era to an end. Born in 1944 in then Bombay, her acting career started at the age of three, with the film Nargis, followed by noteworthy roles such as that of a young Meena Kumari in Baiju Bawra (1952), a courtesan in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and many more. She went on to do projects such as Gambler (1971) and Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986).

But, what immortalized her on the small screen, for which an entire generation still recalls her fondly, was India’s first television talk show, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan. It premiered on Doordarshan in 1972, within a week of the channel going live, and continued to be aired for the next 21 years.

Celebs from all walks of life wanted to be on the show, which was unique, also because it was interspersed with film scenes of the interviewee. Her jolly nature, combined with her fluency in English, Hindi and Urdu won hearts. In 2016, she had said in an interview to HT, “Initially, some artistes would act snobbish about coming on the show. But, once it became popular, the biggest names would queue up for a slot.”

Actor Anil Kapoor, who worked with the late actor in Chameli Ki Shaadi and also appeared on her show, remembers her positive aura. “Tabassum ji was a lovely lady, always smiling and full of energy. She was one of the pioneers of hosting shows. And not a small one at that; it remains one of the most successful shows in India,” says the 65-year-old, adding that the show’s popularity is what made his late father, producer Surinder Kapoor, title their film after it.

He added, "We titled our film, starring Rishi Kapoor and Moushumi Chatterjee, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan. Her show was iconic, and she was a terrific host. She was one of the most celebrated anchors. Everyone wanted to be a part of her show, it was a big thing if you got the chance."

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who wrote the script of her last film, Swarg (1990), recalls: “When you met her, if you were tensed, your worries would disappear! You tend to not form a judgement about someone on the first meeting, but with her, you could deduce easily that she was a very good human being. Unki awaaz itni achhi thi, whatever work she did was always first-class. She lived a whole life, and people will remember her for a long time to come. Whatever she did, only she could do. I am very sad.”