Sharmila Tagore

She went on to collaborate with Ray on numerous other films, including Devi (1960), Nayak (1966), Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), and Seemabaddha (1971), her other Bengali films over the time included Barnali (1963), Shes Anko (1963), Nirjan Saikate (1965), Amanush (1975), Anand Ashram (1977), and Kalankini Kankabati (1981); thus establishing herself as one of the most acclaimed actresses of Bengali cinema. Tagore's career further expanded when she ventured into Hindi films with Shakti Samanta's romance Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). She established herself as one of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema with films like Waqt (1965), Anupama (1966), Devar (1966), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aamne Saamne (1967), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Satyakam (1969), Aradhana (1969), Safar (1970), Amar Prem (1972), Daag (1973), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Avishkaar (1974), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mausam (1975), Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975) and Namkeen (1982). She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Aradhana and the National Film Award for Best Actress for Mausam. This was followed by intermittent film appearances in the subsequent decades, including in Sunny (1984), Swati (1986), New Delhi Times (1986), Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala (1991) and Goutam Ghose's Abar Aranye (2002), which won her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress, Shubho Mahurat (2003), and in the Hindi films Aashik Awara (1993), Mann (1999), Viruddh (2005), Eklavya (2007) and Break Ke Baad (2010). Following a hiatus of 13 years, she made her film comeback with the drama Gulmohar (2023) followed by a critically acclaimed performance in Puratawn (2025). Tagore served as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification from October 2004 to March 2011. In December 2005, she was chosen as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Sharmila Tagore studied at Loreto Convent, Asansol and St. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School. The recorded working language is Hindi and Bangla. Employment is recorded with UNICEF. Positions recorded include UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Distinctions recorded are Padma Bhushan, National Film Award for Best Actress, National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres.

• Name — Sharmila Tagore • Title — Begum Mother of Pataudi • Succession — Begum Consort of Pataudi • Predecessor — Sajida Sultan • Successor2 — Title abolished • Reign — 1968–1971 • Reign Type — Titular • Born — 8 December 1944 • Birthplace — Kanpur, British India

Sharmila Tagore was born on 8 December 1944 in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), United Provinces to Gitindranath Tagore, a general manager in the British India Corporation, and his wife Ira Tagore (née Barua). As a member of the aristocratic Bengali Hindu Tagore family, she is related to the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, actress Devika Rani and the painter Abanindranath Tagore. Her mother was of Assamese descent and hailed from the Barua family. Gitindranath was the grandson of the noted painter Gaganendranath Tagore, whose own father Gunendranath had been a first cousin of the laureate. In fact, Tagore is more closely related to Rabindranath Tagore through her mother: her maternal grandmother, Latika Barua (née Tagore), was the granddaughter of Rabindranath Tagore's brother, Dwijendranath Tagore. Her parents were fourth-cousins. Tagore's maternal grandfather (husband of Latika Barua née Tagore) was Jnanadabhiram Barua, an Assamese Freedom Fighter and Writer who was the First Principal of Earl Law College in Guwahati (now known as Government Law College), himself the son of the noted social worker Gunabhiram Barua. Tagore was the eldest of three daughters and had two younger sisters, the late Oindrila Kunda and Romila Sen. Oindrila was the first in the family to act, and appeared in Tapan Sinha's Kabuliwala (1957) as a child. She later became an international bridge player. Tagore attended St. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School and Loreto Convent, Asansol. She made her film debut when she was a 13-year-old schoolgirl, after which her studies lost priority. Within a short while, her attendance and performance at school suffered, she came to be regarded as a bad influence on her classmates, and was faced with a choice of either doing films or studying further. At that point, her father advised her to move ahead in life, commit herself to a film career and 'give it her all' in order to become successful.

• Illustration — Sharmila Tagore with Soumitra Chatterjee at Apur Sansar presentation in 2009 Tagore began her career as an actress in Satyajit Ray's Bengali epic drama Apur Sansar (1959), as an ill-fated bride. In 1960, Ray cast her again in Devi, a film set in 1860 on Hindu orthodoxy and rational reforms, which she considers her favourite film and performance. She went onto appear in Bengali films Shes Anko and Nirjan Saikate, winning the IFFI Best Actor Award (Female) for the latter, alongside Chhaya Devi, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Renuka Devi and Bharati Devi. Tagore made her Hindi film debut with Shakti Samanta's musical romance Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) alongside Shammi Kapoor. She and Samanta collaborated on several of his later films, including the romantic thriller An Evening in Paris (1967) again opposite Kapoor. With the film, she became the first Indian actress to appear in a swimsuit, which established Tagore as a sex symbol in Hindi films. While the scene in the film is often referred to as 'the bikini scene', Tagore's swimwear is actually a one piece. However, she did pose in a bikini for the cover of Filmfare magazine in 1966. But, when she was the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification 36 years later, she expressed concerns about the increased use of bikinis in Indian films. Tagore went on to appear in films such as Waqt (1965) opposite Shashi Kapoor, Anupama (1966) opposite Dharmendra, Devar (1966) opposite Dharmendra, Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) opposite Manoj Kumar, Aamne Saamne (1967) opposite Shashi Kapoor, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) opposite Dharmendra and the Bengali film Nayak (1966) opposite Uttam Kumar. Her performance in Anupama proved to be her breakthrough in Hindi cinema.

The 1970s marked the most successful period of Tagore's career with a string of critical and commercial successes. She worked alongside Rajesh Khanna on several films including Aradhana (1969), Safar (1970), Chhoti Bahu (1971), Amar Prem (1971), Raja Rani (1973), Daag (1973) and Avishkaar (1974), Maalik (1972). She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Aradhana, and was nominated for Safar, Amar Prem and Daag. She was paired opposite Dharmendra in Satyakam (1969),Yakeen (1969), Chupke Chupke (1975), and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975). Tagore teamed up again with Shashi Kapoor for Suhana Safar (1970), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), and Paap Aur Punya (1974). She also paired with Amitabh Bachchan in Faraar (1975) and Besharam (1978). In Gulzar's Mausam (1975), Tagore starred alongside Sanjeev Kumar, earning earned her first National Film Award for Best Actress, and her fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. During this time, she also worked with Uttam Kumar in Amanush (1975), Anand Ashram (1977) and Dooriyaan (1979). Tagore's other films during this period included Ek Se Badhkar Ek (1976), Tyaag (1977), which she also co-produced, and the Malayalam film Chuvanna Chirakukal (1978) among others.

In the 1980s, Tagore appeared in Kalankini Kankabati (1981), Namkeen (1982), New Delhi Times (1986) and Swati (1986). She reunited with Dharmendra in the film Sunny (1984), which also featured Dharmendra's son Sunny Deol in the lead role. Her performance in the film earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tagore starred in the Bengali action film Protidan (1983) opposite Naseeruddin Shah, and Mira Nair's interracial romantic drama Mississippi Masala (1991). She also appeared in supporting roles in Ghar Bazar (1998) and Mann (1999). She also appeared in two television shows, Katha Sagar (1986) for DD National and Zindagi (1999) for Star Plus. Tagore was cast in her son Saif Ali Khan in his debut film Aashik Awara (1993) and the action drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007). She appeared in supporting roles in the musical romantic drama Dhadkan (2000) and Abar Aranye (2003), the latter of which earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received critical acclaim for her performance in Shubho Mahurat (2003). Tagore appeared in family drama Virruddh... Family Comes First (2005) alongside Bachchan, earning her sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. • Illustration — Tagore at an event From 2007 to 2009, Tagore appeared in films such as Fool & Final (2007), Tasveer 8*10 (2009), Antaheen (2009) and the Marathi film Samaantar (2009). In 2009, she served on the jury at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. She played a supporting role in the romantic comedy-drama Break Ke Baad (2010) before embarking on an acting hiatus.

Tagore made her comeback after a 13-year hiatus with the drama Gulmohar (2023), which released on Disney+ Hotstar. The film earned her critical acclaim, with the Hindustan Times noting that, "The elegance and poise Tagore exudes are remarkable. Her dialogue delivery, gestures, body language, emotions, everything looks just so effortless even after a long hiatus." India Today also opined that, "Tagore is always a joy to watch on screen. And, what a comeback!" Her performance earned her the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress Critics – Web Original Film, in addition to a nomination for Best Actress – Web Original Film. In 2024, Tagore returned to Marathi films with Outhouse alongside Mohan Agashe, where she played a loving grandmother. Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted, "Tagore brings warmth, wisdom, and a spark of curiosity to Aadima, portraying her as a nuanced blend of strength and vulnerability." Tagore made her comeback to Bengali films after 14 years with Suman Ghosh's Puratawn (2025).

• Illustration — Tagore with her daughter Soha at the premiere of Khoya Khoya Chand Tagore converted to Islam, changed her name to Begum Ayesha Sultana, and married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the titular Nawab of Pataudi and Bhopal and former captain of the Indian cricket team, on 27 December 1968. They had three children: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan (born 1970); Saba Ali Khan (born 1976), a jewellery designer; and Soha Ali Khan (born 1978), a Bollywood actress and TV personality. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi died at age 70 on 22 September 2011. From 1991 to 2004, Saif was married to actress Amrita Singh. They have two children, daughter Sara Ali Khan (born 1995) and son Ibrahim Ali Khan (born 2001), both actors. His second marriage is to actress Kareena Kapoor in 2012 with whom he has two sons, Taimur Ali Khan (born 2016) and Jeh Ali Khan (born 2021). Soha married actor Kunal Khemu in 2015, and has a daughter Inaaya Naumi Khemmu (born 2017).

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. • 1986 — Katha Sagar — Various • 1999–2000 — Zindagi — Kamal's warden

• Year — Title — Performer(s) — Ref. • 1988 — "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" — Various

• Illustration — Tagore receiving Padma Bhushan from President, Pranab Mukherjee

• Year — Title — Role — Language — Notes — Ref. • 1959 — Apur Sansar — Aparna — Bengali • 1960 — Devi — Doyamoyee • 1963 — Shes Anko — Soma • Nirjan Saikate — Renu • Barnali — Aloka Choudhury • Chhaya Shurjo — Ghentoo • 1964 — Subha O Debatar Gras • Kinu Gowalar Gali — Neera • Kashmir Ki Kali — Champa — Hindi • 1965 — Waqt — Renu Khanna • Dak Ghar — Herself — Guest appearance • 1966 — Anupama — Uma Sharma • Devar — Madhumati / Banwariya • Sawan Ki Ghata — Seema • Nayak — Aditi — Bengali • Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi — Kiran / Kiranmai — Hindi • 1967 — Milan Ki Raat — Aarti • An Evening in Paris — Deepa / Roopa "Suzy" • Aamne Saamne — Sapna • 1968 — Mere Hamdam Mere Dost — Anita • Humsaya — Leena Sen • Dil Aur Mohabbat — Anuradha Verma • 1969 — Pyasi Sham — Madhu • Satyakam — Ranjana • Talash — Madhu / Gauri • Aradhana — Vandhana Tripathi — Hindi • Yakeen — Rita • 1970 — Aranyer Din Ratri — Aparna — Bengali • Suhana Safar — Sapna — Hindi • Mere Humsafar — Taruna / Meenakshi • My Love — Sangeeta Thakur • Safar — Neela Kapoor • 1971 — Seemabaddha — Tutul — Bengali • Chhoti Bahu — Radha — Hindi • Badnam Farishte — Lawyer Renu — Guest appearance • 1972 — Amar Prem — Pushpa • Dastaan — Meena • Yeh Gulistan Hamara — Soo Reni • Maalik — Savitri • 1973 — Raja Rani — Nirmala / Rani • Daag — Sonia Kohli • Aa Gale Lag Jaa — Preeti • 1974 — Shaandaar — Pratima • Avishkaar — Mansi • Paap Aur Punya — Jugni • Charitraheen — Rama Chaudhary • Shaitaan — Nisha • Jadu Bansha — Mala — Bengali • 1975 — Mausam — Chanda / Kajli — Hindi • Anari — Poonam • Chupke Chupke — Sulekha Chaturvedi • Faraar — Mala / Asha • Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka — Aruna • Amanush — Lekha — Bengali, Hindi — Bilingual film • Khushboo — Lakhi — Hindi • 1976 — Ek Se Badhkar Ek — Rekha • Do Shatru — Rajkumari / Kaali • 1977 — Anand Ashram — Asha — Bengali, Hindi — Bilingual film • Tyaag — Sunita — Hindi — Also co-producer • 1978 — Besharam — Rinku / Monica • 1979 — Chuvanna Chirakukal — Jessinta Issac — Malayalam • Dooriyaan — Lalita — Hindi • Griha Pravesh — Mansi • Mother — Bengali • 1981 — Kalankini Kankabati — Aparna / Kanka • Naseeb — Herself — Hindi — Guest appearance • 1982 — Namkeen — Nimki • Desh Premee — Bharti • 1983 — Protidan — Gouri — Bengali • Gehri Chot – Urf: Durdesh — Shobha — Bengali, Hindi — Bilingual film • Doosri Dulhan — Renu — Hindi • 1984 — Sunny — Sitara • Jawaani — Sushma • Divorce — Chandra • Milenge Kabhi • 1985 — Ek Se Bhale Do — Mary D'Mello • Bandhan Anjana • 1986 — New Delhi Times — Nisha • Maa Beti — Savitri • Swati — Sharda • Ricky — Advocate Rukmini Khanna • 1987 — 7 Saal Baad — Nisha • 1988 — Anurodh — Jaya / Maya — Bengali • Hum To Chale Pardes — Trishna — Hindi — Guest appearance • 1989 — Doorie — Nisha • 1991 — Mississippi Masala — Kinnu — English • Dastoor — Mohini Devi — Hindi • 1993 — Aashiq Awara — Mrs. Singh • 1998 — Ghar Bazar • 1999 — Mann — Suhana Devi Singh • 2000 — Dhadkan — Jhanvi Ranjan Chopra • 2002 — Abar Aranye — Aparna Asim — Bengali • 2003 — Shubho Mahurat — Padmini Chowdhury • 2005 — Viruddh... Family Comes First — Sumitra Patwardhan — Hindi • 2006 — Eklavya: The Royal Guard — Rani Suhasini Devi • 2007 — Fool & Final — Lajwanti Bhabhi • 2009 — Antaheen — Pishima Chowdhury — Bengali • 8 x 10 Tasveer — Savitri Puri — Hindi • Morning Walk — Neelima • Samaantar — Shama Vaze — Marathi • 2010 — Break Ke Baad — Ayesha Khan — Hindi • 2023 — Gulmohar — Kusum Batra • 2024 — OutHouse — Aadima — Marathi • 2025 — Puratawn — Mrs. Sen — Bengali

• Year — Award — Category — Work — Result — Ref. • 1965 — International Film Festival of India — Best Actor (Female) — Nirjan Saikate • 1970 — Filmfare Awards — Best Actress — Aradhana • 1971 — Safar • 1973 — Amar Prem • 1974 — Daag • 1976 — National Film Awards — Best Actress — Mausam • 1977 — Filmfare Awards — Best Actress • 1985 — Filmfare Awards — Best Supporting Actress — Sunny • 2003 — National Film Awards — Best Supporting Actress — Abar Aranye • 2006 — Filmfare Awards — Best Actress — Viruddh • Screen Awards — Best Actress • 2023 — Filmfare OTT Awards — Best Actress Critics - Web Original Film — Gulmohar • Best Actress - Web Original Film • 2025 — South Asian Film Festival — Best Actress — Puratawn • New York Film Festival

• Year — Award — Work — Result — Ref. • 1999 — Order of Arts and Letters — Contribution to the Cinema • 2013 — Padma Bhushan — Contribution in the Field of Arts

• Year — Organizations — Awards — Result — Ref. • 1998 — 43rd Filmfare Awards — Lifetime Achievement Award • 2002 — Screen Awards — Lifetime Achievement Award • 2010 — Anandalok Puraskar — Lifetime Achievement Award • 2011 — 12th IIFA Awards — Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema • Lifetime Achievement Award • 2012 — Edinburgh University — Honorary Doctorate of Arts • 2019 — Hello! Hall of Fame Award — Lifetime Achievement Award • 2023 — Bimal Roy Memorial Awards — Lifetime Achievement Award *