She started her film career with her older sister
Nutan in
Hamari Beti (1950) as Baby Tanuja. As an adult, she debuted in the film
Chhabili (1960) which was directed by her mother, and had her sister Nutan, in the lead. The film that truly marked her transition to adult heroine was
Hamari Yaad Aayegi (1961), directed by Kidar Sharma, who had earlier discovered
Raj Kapoor,
Madhubala and
Geeta Bali. (left) and younger daughter
Tanishaa (right) at
Esha Deol's wedding reception in 2012. One of her early films noted for her acting was
Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), directed by
Shaheed Latif. Incidentally, it was
Guru Dutt team's last offering, especially visible in the song "Woh Hanske Mile Humse" (believed to have been picturised while
Guru Dutt was still alive) who worked hard to help her "tone down" her performance. The result was that the natural, spontaneous performer gave a highly restrained performance, which became the highlight of the film — as well of her career — as she moved to lead roles soon after. Tanuja received her first nomination for the
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the spy film
Jewel Thief (1967). Her next film was
Izzat (1968) with
Dharmendra. This was followed by a film with
Jeetendra;
Jeene Ki Raah (1969), an immediate and surprise hit. In the same year, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for
Paisa Ya Pyaar. After the success of
Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), she acted in
Door Ka Raahi,
Mere Jeevan Saathi,
Do Chor and
Ek Baar Mooskura Do (1972),
Kaam Chor,
Yaarana,
Khuddar, and
Masoom. Some of the other films she has acted in are
Pavitra Paapi,
Bhoot Bangla, and
Anubhav. Some of her Marathi films are
Zaakol,
Unad Maina and
Pitruroon. During the mid-1960s, Tanuja started a parallel career in
Bengali movies in Kolkata, starting with
Deya Neya (1963), where she was paired opposite
Uttam Kumar. She followed it up with
Antony Firingee (1967) and
Rajkumari (1970). Tanuja had on-screen chemistry with
Soumitra Chatterjee, with whom she made some films such as
Teen Bhubaner Paare (1969) and
Prothom Kadam Phool. Tanuja spoke her own lines in these Bengali films. Afterwards, Tanuja retired from films for a number of years, but came back when her marriage ended. She was now offered supporting roles often starring former heroes. Her
Pyar Ki Kahani hero
Amitabh Bachchan had to call her "bhabhi" (sister-in-law) in
Khud-Daar (1982). She also played a supporting role in
Raj Kapoor's
Prem Rog (1982). In 1986, she received an invitation from
Sri Lanka to appear in the
Sinhalese film Peralikarayo opposite to
Vijaya Kumaratunga where she played the main role. She then appeared in films such as
Saathiya (2002),
Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula (2003), and
Khakee (2003) as a supporting actress. In 2008, Tanuja starred as a judge along with her daughter, Kajol, and son-in-law, Ajay Devgan on
Zee TV's family dance series
Rock-N-Roll Family. In 2013, Tanuja played a widow in the Marathi film
Pitruroon made by
Nitish Bharadwaj. For her role as a widow, Tanuja has tonsured her head to make her character look authentic. ==Awards and nominations==