When Bollywood stars would queue outside Doordarshan office to be on Tabassum's show Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan

Tabassum hosted Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, Indian TV's first talk show, for 21 years. The veteran actor-turned-host died on Friday at the age of 78.

Tabassum, who died aged 78 on Friday, had a long and storied career in the world of entertainment. The actor began as a child artiste, before transitioning into grown-up roles in films in the 70s. But it was on TV that she found national recognition and some level of stardom too. Her show, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, was so popular that at one point, celebs would queue outside the Doordarshan office to get a chance to be on it.

Tabassum hosted some of the biggest Bollywood stars on her show Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan.

Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan was Indian’s first television talk show, which began airing on the national broadcaster DD in 1972. The show ran for a record 21 years before winding up in 1993. Over the years, most big stars in the film industry graced the show where Tabassum would chat with them on their life and career.

In a 2016 interview with Hindustan Times, Tabassum revealed that initially, celebs were wary of appearing on the show but began queuing up outside their office as the show became popular. “Initially, some artists would act snobbish about coming on the show, but once it became popular, the biggest names would queue up at the Doordarshan office for a slot. It was as much of a craze then as social media is today,” Tabassum recalled.

Tabassum began her career as child artiste Baby Tabassum in the 1940s appearing in several memorable films like Baiju Bawra and Bari Behan. She appeared in grown up roles in Gambler and Chameli Ki Shaadi among others. She died on Friday in Mumbai, her son Hoshang Govil told PTI.