| Sharmila Tagore | |
|---|---|
| Begum Mother ofPataudi | |
 Tagore in 2024 | |
| Begum Consort ofPataudi | |
| Titular | 1968–1971 |
| Predecessor | Sajida Sultan |
| Successor | Title abolished |
| Born | (1944-12-08)8 December 1944 (age 80) Cawnpore,British India (present-dayKanpur,Uttar Pradesh, India) |
| Other names | Begum Ayesha Sultana[1] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1959–2010; 2023–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Family |
|
| Honours | Order of Arts and Letters (1999),Padma Bhushan (2013) |
Sharmila Tagore (Bengali:[ʃɔɾˈmilaˈʈʰakuɾ]ⓘ; born 8 December 1944) also known by her married nameBegum Ayesha Sultana,[1] is an Indian actress whose career has spanned over six decades acrossHindi andBengali films.[2][3] In recognition of her contributions to cinema, she was honoured with Commander ofOrder of Arts and Letters byGovernment of France in 1999, andPadma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2013.[4][5][6] Tagore is also a recipient of twoNational Film Awards and threeFilmfare Awards.[7]
Born into the prominentTagore family, one of the leading families ofCalcutta and a key influence during theBengali Renaissance, Tagore made her acting debut at age 14 withSatyajit Ray's acclaimed Bengali epic dramaThe World of Apu (1959). She went on to collaborate with Ray on numerous other films, includingDevi (1960),Nayak (1966),Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), andSeemabaddha (1971), her other Bengali films over the time includedBarnali (1963),Shes Anko (1963),Nirjan Saikate (1965),Amanush (1975),Anand Ashram (1977), andKalankini Kankabati (1981); thus establishing herself as one of the most acclaimed actresses ofBengali cinema.
Tagore's career further expanded when she ventured into Hindi films withShakti Samanta's romanceKashmir Ki Kali (1964). She established herself as one of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema with films likeWaqt (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) andNamkeen (1982). She won theFilmfare Award for Best Actress forAradhana and theNational Film Award for Best Actress forMausam. This was followed by intermittent film appearances in the subsequent decades, including inSunny (1984),Swati (1986),New Delhi Times (1986),Mira Nair'sMississippi Masala (1991) andGoutam Ghose'sAbar Aranye (2002), which won her theNational Film Award for Best Supporting Actress,Shubho Mahurat (2003), and in the Hindi filmsAashik Awara (1993),Mann (1999),Viruddh (2005),Eklavya (2007) andBreak Ke Baad (2010). Following a hiatus of 13 years, she made her film comeback with the dramaGulmohar (2023) followed by a critically acclaimed performance inPuratawn (2025).[8]
Tagore served as the chairperson of theCentral Board of Film Certification from October 2004 to March 2011. In December 2005, she was chosen as aUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.[9]
Sharmila Tagore was born on 8 December 1944 in Cawnpore (nowKanpur),United Provinces to Gitindranath Tagore, a general manager in theBritish India Corporation, and his wife Ira Tagore (née Barua).[10] As a member of the aristocraticBengaliHinduTagore family, she is related to the Nobel laureateRabindranath Tagore, actressDevika Rani and the painterAbanindranath Tagore. Her mother was ofAssamese descent and hailed from theBarua family.[11][12][13] Gitindranath was the grandson of the noted painterGaganendranath Tagore, whose own father Gunendranath had been a first cousin of the laureate.[14] In fact, Tagore is more closely related toRabindranath Tagore through her mother: her maternal grandmother, Latika Barua (née Tagore), was the granddaughter ofRabindranath Tagore's brother, Dwijendranath Tagore. Her parents were fourth-cousins.[14] Tagore's maternal grandfather (husband of Latika Barua née Tagore) wasJnanadabhiram Barua, anAssamese Freedom Fighter and Writer who was the First Principal of Earl Law College inGuwahati (now known as Government Law College), himself the son of the noted social workerGunabhiram Barua.[15][16]
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 inTapan Sinha'sKabuliwala (1957) as a child.[14][17] She later became an international bridge player.
Tagore attendedSt. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School andLoreto Convent, Asansol.[18] 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.[19] 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.[19]
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Tagore began her career as an actress inSatyajit Ray's Bengali epic dramaApur Sansar (1959), as an ill-fated bride.[20] In 1960, Ray cast her again inDevi, a film set in 1860 on Hindu orthodoxy and rational reforms, which she considers her favourite film and performance.[21] She went onto appear in Bengali filmsShes Anko andNirjan Saikate, winning theIFFI Best Actor Award (Female) for the latter, alongsideChhaya Devi,Ruma Guha Thakurta, Renuka Devi and Bharati Devi.[22]
Tagore made her Hindi film debut withShakti Samanta's musical romanceKashmir Ki Kali (1964) alongsideShammi Kapoor. She and Samanta collaborated on several of his later films, including the romantic thrillerAn Evening in Paris (1967) again opposite Kapoor. With the film, she became the first Indian actress to appear in a swimsuit,[23][20][24][25][26][27] which established Tagore as asex symbol in Hindi films.[28][29] 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 ofFilmfare magazine in 1966.[30][25][31][32][33] But, when she was the chairperson of theCentral Board of Film Certification 36 years later, she expressed concerns about the increased use of bikinis in Indian films.[34]
Tagore went on to appear in films such asWaqt (1965) oppositeShashi Kapoor,Anupama (1966) oppositeDharmendra,Devar (1966) oppositeDharmendra,Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) oppositeManoj Kumar,Aamne Saamne (1967) oppositeShashi Kapoor,Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) oppositeDharmendra and the Bengali filmNayak (1966) oppositeUttam Kumar.[35][36] Her performance inAnupama proved to be her breakthrough in Hindi cinema.[37]
The 1970s marked the most successful period of Tagore's career with a string of critical and commercial successes. She worked alongsideRajesh Khanna on several films includingAradhana (1969),Safar (1970),Chhoti Bahu (1971),Amar Prem (1971),Raja Rani (1973),Daag (1973) andAvishkaar (1974),Maalik (1972).[38][39][40] She won theFilmfare Award for Best Actress forAradhana, and was nominated forSafar,Amar Prem andDaag.[41][42] She was paired oppositeDharmendra inSatyakam (1969),Yakeen (1969),Chupke Chupke (1975), andEk Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975).[43]
Tagore teamed up again withShashi Kapoor forSuhana Safar (1970),Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), andPaap Aur Punya (1974). She also paired withAmitabh Bachchan inFaraar (1975) andBesharam (1978).
InGulzar'sMausam (1975), Tagore starred alongsideSanjeev Kumar, earning earned her firstNational Film Award for Best Actress, and her fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[44] During this time, she also worked withUttam Kumar inAmanush (1975),Anand Ashram (1977) andDooriyaan (1979).
Tagore's other films during this period includedEk Se Badhkar Ek (1976),Tyaag (1977), which she also co-produced, and the Malayalam filmChuvanna Chirakukal (1978) among others.[45][46]
In the 1980s, Tagore appeared inKalankini Kankabati (1981),Namkeen (1982),New Delhi Times (1986) andSwati (1986).[47][48] She reunited with Dharmendra in the filmSunny (1984), which also featured Dharmendra's sonSunny Deol in the lead role. Her performance in the film earned her a nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Tagore starred in the Bengali action filmProtidan (1983) oppositeNaseeruddin Shah, andMira Nair's interracial romantic dramaMississippi Masala (1991).[49] She also appeared in supporting roles inGhar Bazar (1998) andMann (1999). She also appeared in two television shows,Katha Sagar (1986) forDD National andZindagi (1999) forStar Plus.[50][51]
Tagore was cast in her sonSaif Ali Khan in his debut filmAashik Awara (1993) and the action dramaEklavya: The Royal Guard (2007). She appeared in supporting roles in the musical romantic dramaDhadkan (2000) andAbar Aranye (2003), the latter of which earned her theNational Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.[52] She also received critical acclaim for her performance inShubho Mahurat (2003).
Tagore appeared in family dramaVirruddh... Family Comes First (2005) alongside Bachchan, earning her sixth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[citation needed]
From 2007 to 2009, Tagore appeared in films such asFool & Final (2007),Tasveer 8*10 (2009),Antaheen (2009) and the Marathi filmSamaantar (2009).[53] In 2009, she served on the jury at the62nd Cannes Film Festival.[54] She played a supporting role in the romantic comedy-dramaBreak Ke Baad (2010)[55] before embarking on an acting hiatus.
Tagore made her comeback after a 13-year hiatus with the dramaGulmohar (2023), which released onDisney+ Hotstar.[56] The film earned her critical acclaim, with theHindustan 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!"[57][58] Her performance earned her theFilmfare OTT Award for Best Actress Critics – Web Original Film, in addition to a nomination for Best Actress – Web Original Film.[59]
In 2024, Tagore returned to Marathi films withOuthouse alongsideMohan Agashe, where she played a loving grandmother.[60] Devesh Sharma ofFilmfare noted, "Tagore brings warmth, wisdom, and a spark of curiosity to Aadima, portraying her as a nuanced blend of strength and vulnerability."[61] Tagore made her comeback to Bengali films after 14 years with Suman Ghosh'sPuratawn (2025).
Tagoreconverted to Islam, changed her name to Begum Ayesha Sultana,[1][62] and marriedMansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the titularNawab of Pataudi andBhopal and former captain of theIndian cricket team, on 27 December 1968.[63][64] They had three children:Bollywood actorSaif Ali Khan (b. 1970);Saba Ali Khan (b. 1976),[65] a jewellery designer; andSoha Ali Khan (b. 1978), a Bollywood actress and TV personality. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi died at age 70 on 22 September 2011.[66]
From 1991 to 2004,Saif was married to actressAmrita Singh. They have two children, daughterSara Ali Khan (b. 1995) and sonIbrahim Ali Khan (b. 2001), both actors.[67] His second marriage is to actressKareena Kapoor in 2012 with whom he has two sons, Taimur Ali Khan (b. 2016) and Jeh Ali Khan (b. 2021).[68]Soha married actorKunal Khemu in 2015, and has a daughter Inaaya Naumi Khemmu (b. 2017).[69]
Tagore was the highest paid Indian actress in the 1970s, and is considered an accomplishedIndian cinema veteran.[70][71] Surendra Kumar ofThe Sunday Guardian considers her to be an actress "ahead of her time" for balancing "the serious persona of realist Bengali films, and the Bollywood persona of films with song-and-dance sequences focused on success at the box office."[72] She has received widespread critical acclaim for her on-screen work, both nationally and internationally. During the introduction of the2025 Cannes Film Festival screening ofAranyer Din Ratri, American filmmakerWes Anderson recalled watching the film 25 years years ago "in a very strangely translated, blurry, scratchy, piratedDVD from a little Bollywood shop inNew Jersey." He described Tagore's performance inAranyer Din Ratri as "mysterious, cerebral, mesmerising."[73][74]
Unlike most of her contemporaries in the 1960s, Tagore struck a convenient balance playing both glamorous and homely women on screen. She "explored roles beyond the stereotypical" in an era where women were rarely offered an opportunity to be more than "just a pretty appendage to the hero."[73] Her wide range of complex female characters often circumvented thedamsel in distress tropes, defying Indian societal norms and capturing a version of womanhood that is flawed but purposeful.[75][76][77] According to Nandini Balial ofRoger Ebert, she "redefined what an Indian woman could do in a film," and "altered the cinematic landscape for leading ladies." Balial goes on to say that Tagore's women epitomised that "being demure didn't mean being spineless, [and that] emotional devastation wasn't a death sentence."[3] Filmfare considered her portrayal of a foul-mouthed shrew-ishsex-worker inMausam as one of the most iconic Bollywood performances.[78]
Bucking the Indian film industry's expectations from actresses, Tagore wore a one-piece swimsuit for her 1967 filmAn Evening In Paris. She was the first Bollywood actress to have done so, paving the way forDimple Kapadia inBobby (1973),Zeenat Aman inQurbani (1980), andParveen Babi inYeh Nazdeekiyan (1982).[79] Her 1969 Filmfare magazine cover, where Tagore poses in a two-piece bikini, was publicly labelled as "obscene" and "attention-seeking." She said herAn Evening In Paris directorShakti Samanta called her after the magazine hit the stands and said,"If you want to be in the public eye, this is not the way to go." He also asked Tagore, who was inLondon at the time, to return to India immediately. Tagore was "really hurt" by the cover being interpreted as her trying to "beupwardly mobile" and "catch eyeballs."[citation needed] In a televised interview withKaran Johar, she confirmed that "questions were asked in the [Indian] Parliament" following the controversy, and she strategically chose the wife-mother role inAradhana as her next on-screen appearance.[80]
With her voluminous hairdos andchiffon floral-printsarees, Tagore's sense of fashion seamlessly blended traditional elegance with modern glamour. Numerous Indian actresses have gone to emulate her retro-vintage style in recent times, includingAnushka Sharma forBombay Velvet,Preity Zinta forRab Ne Bana Di Jodi, andDeepika Padukone inOm Shanti Om.[81][82][83] Film historian Sanjay Mukhopadhyay said that her "most significant contribution to Indian cinema is a sense of dignity and grace—afterWaheeda Rehman, she was the only actress of her time who exuded this." Mukhopadhyay adds that with a "strong Tagore lineage coupled with thePataudigharana (family dynasty)" she was a "bourgeois star with a biography" who "occupied a cultural space beyond the reach of commoner—she could be looked at, but not possessed."[84]
Tagore was inducted into theBollywood Walk of Fame atBandra Bandstand, Mumbai.[85]
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Apur Sansar | Aparna | Bengali | [86] | |
| 1960 | Devi | Doyamoyee | |||
| 1963 | Shes Anko | Soma | |||
| Nirjan Saikate | Renu | [87] | |||
| Barnali | Aloka Choudhury | ||||
| Chhaya Shurjo | Ghentoo | ||||
| 1964 | Subha O Debatar Gras | ||||
| Kinu Gowalar Gali | Neera | ||||
| Kashmir Ki Kali | Champa | Hindi | [88] | ||
| 1965 | Waqt | Renu Khanna | |||
| Dak Ghar | Herself | Guest appearance | |||
| 1966 | Anupama | Uma Sharma | [89] | ||
| 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" | [90] | |||
| 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 | [91] | ||
| Yakeen | Rita | ||||
| 1970 | Aranyer Din Ratri | Aparna | Bengali | ||
| Suhana Safar | Sapna | Hindi | |||
| Mere Humsafar | Taruna / Meenakshi | ||||
| My Love | Sangeeta Thakur | ||||
| Safar | Neela Kapoor | [92] | |||
| 1971 | Seemabaddha | Tutul | Bengali | ||
| Chhoti Bahu | Radha | Hindi | |||
| Badnam Farishte | Lawyer Renu | Guest appearance | |||
| 1972 | Amar Prem | Pushpa | [93] | ||
| 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 | [44] | |
| Anari | Poonam | ||||
| Chupke Chupke | Sulekha Chaturvedi | [94] | |||
| 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 | [95] | |
| Dastoor | Mohini Devi | Hindi | |||
| 1993 | Aashiq Awara | Mrs. Singh | |||
| 1998 | Ghar Bazar | ||||
| 1999 | Mann | Suhana Devi Singh | [96] | ||
| 2000 | Dhadkan | Jhanvi Ranjan Chopra | |||
| 2002 | Abar Aranye | Aparna Asim | Bengali | [97] | |
| 2003 | Shubho Mahurat | Padmini Chowdhury | |||
| 2005 | Viruddh... Family Comes First | Sumitra Patwardhan | Hindi | [98] | |
| 2006 | Eklavya: The Royal Guard | Rani Suhasini Devi | [99] | ||
| 2007 | Fool & Final | Lajwanti Bhabhi | |||
| 2009 | Antaheen | Pishima Chowdhury | Bengali | ||
| 8 x 10 Tasveer | Savitri Puri | Hindi | [100] | ||
| Morning Walk | Neelima | ||||
| Samaantar | Shama Vaze | Marathi | |||
| 2010 | Break Ke Baad | Ayesha Khan | Hindi | [101] | |
| 2023 | Gulmohar | Kusum Batra | [102] | ||
| 2024 | OutHouse | Aadima | Marathi | [103] | |
| 2025 | Puratawn | Mrs. Sen | Bengali | Completed | [104] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Katha Sagar | Various | [105] | |
| 1999–2000 | Zindagi | Kamal's warden | [106] |
| Year | Title | Performer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Mile Sur Mera Tumhara | Various | [107][108] |
| Year | Award | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Order of Arts and Letters | Contribution to the Cinema | Honoured | [109] |
| 2013 | Padma Bhushan | Contribution in the Field of Arts | Honoured | [110] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | International Film Festival of India | Best Actor (Female) | Nirjan Saikate | Won | [111] |
| 1970 | Filmfare Awards | Best Actress | Aradhana | Won | [112] |
| 1971 | Safar | Nominated | [113] | ||
| 1973 | Amar Prem | Nominated | [114] | ||
| 1974 | Daag | Nominated | [115][circular reference] | ||
| 1976 | National Film Awards | Best Actress | Mausam | Won | [116] |
| 1977 | Filmfare Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [113] | |
| 1985 | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Sunny | Nominated | [113] |
| 2003 | National Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Abar Aranye | Won | [117] |
| 2006 | Filmfare Awards | Best Actress | Viruddh | Nominated | [118] |
| Screen Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [119] | ||
| 2023 | Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actress Critics - Web Original Film | Gulmohar | Won | [120] |
| Best Actress - Web Original Film | Nominated | ||||
| 2025 | South Asian Film Festival | Best Actress | Puratawn | Won | [121] |
| New York Film Festival | Won | [122] |
| Year | Organizations | Awards | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 43rd Filmfare Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured | [123] |
| 2002 | Screen Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured | [124] |
| 2010 | Anandalok Puraskar | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured | [125] |
| 2011 | 12th IIFA Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema | Won | [126] |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured | |||
| 2012 | Edinburgh University | Honorary Doctorate of Arts | Honoured | [127] |
| 2019 | Hello! Hall of Fame Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured | [128] |
| 2023 | Bimal Roy Memorial Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honoured |
In 30 years,Apur Sansar andTeen Kanya have earned Rs 75 to 80 lakh for their Indian distributors.
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