Sharmila Tagore, born on December 8, 1944, is one of Indian cinema’s most acclaimed and versatile actresses, with a career spanning over six decades in Hindi and Bengali films. A great-grandniece of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, she debuted at age 14 and became known for her grace, range, and bold choices, including being the first mainstream Indian actress to appear in a bikini (in An Evening in Paris, 1967).
Early Career and Collaboration with Satyajit Ray (1959–1970s)
She began in Bengali art-house cinema with Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Apur Sansar (The World of Apu, 1959), the final part of the Apu Trilogy, playing the ill-fated bride Aparna.
She collaborated with Ray on several classics, including Devi (1960, where she played a woman believed to be a goddess incarnation), Nayak (1966), Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest, 1970), and Seemabaddha (1971). These roles established her as a leading figure in parallel Bengali cinema.
Transition to Hindi Cinema and Stardom (1960s–1970s)
Her Hindi debut came with Shakti Samanta’s romantic hit Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) opposite Shammi Kapoor, making her an instant star.
The 1960s and 1970s were her peak commercial years. She paired successfully with Rajesh Khanna in blockbusters like Aradhana (1969, which launched Khanna as a superstar and featured the iconic song “Mere Sapno Ki Rani”),
Safar (1970), Amar Prem (1972), and Daag (1973). Other notable films include Anupama (1966), Chupke Chupke (1975, a comedy classic), and Gulzar’s Mausam (1975), for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Later Career and Selective Roles (1980s–Present)
After marrying cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968 and taking breaks for family, she continued with diverse roles in films like Namkeen (1982), Mississippi Masala (1991), and later appearances in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007, opposite son Saif Ali Khan), Break Ke Baad (2010), and the critically acclaimed family drama Gulmohar (2023). Her recent Bengali film Puratawn (2025) marked a return after many years.
Throughout her youth, she exuded elegance and glamour.
She remains active and graceful in recent years.
Awards and Legacy
Tagore has won two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Padma Bhushan (2013). She served as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (2004–2011) and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. With over 100 films, she bridged art and commercial cinema, influencing generations and remaining an icon of dignity and versatility.