Tabu credits her 2006 film, The Namesake, for changing her life, personally, as well as professionally. During an interaction at the ninth Jagran Film Festival, the actor, who played Ashima Ganguli in the movie, said that she developed a strong bond with co-star Irrfan Khan while working on the film.

"I travelled to New York to shoot the film, and ensured that no friend or colleague accompanied me. I didn't even allow my hairstylist to come along. I wanted to experience life on my own. That's why I feel the movie changed my life," said Tabu.