Sharmila Tagore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharmila Tagore
Begum Mother of Pataudi
Tagore in 2024
Begum Consort of Pataudi
Titular	1968–1971
Predecessor	Sajida Sultan
Successor	Title abolished
Born	(1944-12-08) 8 December 1944 (age 80) Cawnpore, British India (present-day Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Other names	Begum Ayesha Sultana
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1959–2010; 2023–present
Spouse(s)	Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi ​ ​ (m. 1968; died 2011)​
Children	Saif Saba Soha
Family	Tagore family Pataudi family (via marriage)
Honours	Order of Arts and Letters (1999), Padma Bhushan (2013)

Sharmila Tagore (born December 8, 1944) is a famous Indian actress who has starred in many Hindi and Bengali movies for over 60 years. She is also known by her married name, Begum Ayesha Sultana.

Because of her great work in movies, she has received many awards. In 1999, the French government gave her the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2013, she received the Padma Bhushan, which is India's third-highest award for a citizen. Tagore has also won two National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards.

She started acting when she was only 14 years old in the famous Bengali film The World of Apu (1959), directed by Satyajit Ray. She worked with Ray on many other successful films, becoming a major star in Bengali cinema.

Tagore later became a huge star in Hindi films, also known as Bollywood. She starred in hit movies like Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aradhana (1969), and Amar Prem (1972). After a long break, she returned to acting in 2023 and continues to receive praise for her performances.

From 2004 to 2011, she was the head of India's film certification board. She also became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 to help children around the world.

Early Life and Family

Sharmila Tagore was born on December 8, 1944, in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), India. Her father, Gitindranath Tagore, was a manager for the British India Corporation. Her mother was Ira Tagore.

Tagore comes from the well-known Tagore family of Calcutta. This family was very important during the Bengal Renaissance, a time of great cultural and artistic growth. She is related to the Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore. Her mother's family was from Assam.

She was the oldest of three sisters. Her younger sister, Oindrila, was a child actor in the film Kabuliwala (1957).

Tagore went to school at St. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School. She started her movie career at age 13. Acting soon became her main focus. Her father encouraged her to work hard in films and give it her best effort.

Acting Career

Starting Her Acting Journey

Sharmila Tagore with Soumitra Chatterjee at a presentation for Apur Sansar in 2009

Tagore's first movie was the Bengali film Apur Sansar (1959), directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray. She then starred in another Ray film, Devi (1960), which she has called her favorite role.

In 1964, she made her first Hindi film, Kashmir Ki Kali, with actor Shammi Kapoor. This movie was a big hit. She worked with the same director, Shakti Samanta, on An Evening in Paris (1967). In this film, she wore a one-piece swimsuit, which was a bold fashion statement at the time. This made her a trendsetter in Indian cinema.

She also appeared in other popular films like Waqt (1965) and Anupama (1966). Her role in Anupama helped establish her as a serious actress in Hindi movies.

Becoming a Bollywood Star

The 1970s were the most successful years of Tagore's career. She starred in many hit films with actor Rajesh Khanna, including Aradhana (1969), Amar Prem (1972), and Daag (1973). For her role in Aradhana, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

She also worked with other famous actors like Dharmendra in Chupke Chupke (1975) and Shashi Kapoor in Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973).

In 1975, she starred in the film Mausam, where she played two different characters. Her performance was so good that she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Later Films and New Roles

Tagore at an event

In the 1980s and 1990s, Tagore continued to act in important films. These included Namkeen (1982), New Delhi Times (1986), and the international film Mississippi Masala (1991).

She also acted alongside her son, Saif Ali Khan, in his first movie, Aashik Awara (1993). They worked together again in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007).

In 2003, her role in the Bengali film Abar Aranye won her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received praise for her performance in Viruddh (2005), where she starred with Amitabh Bachchan.

Before taking a long break from acting, her last film was Break Ke Baad in 2010.

A Grand Comeback

After 13 years away from the screen, Tagore returned in the 2023 film Gulmohar. The movie was released on Disney+ Hotstar and critics loved her performance. The Hindustan Times said, "The elegance and poise Tagore exudes are remarkable."

In 2024, she starred in the Marathi film Outhouse. She also returned to Bengali cinema after 14 years with the film Puratawn (2025).

Personal Life

Tagore with her daughter Soha at a movie premiere.

On December 27, 1968, Sharmila Tagore married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He was the Nawab (a title for a ruler) of Pataudi and a former captain of the Indian cricket team. After her marriage, she took the name Begum Ayesha Sultana. They were married until his death in 2011.

They had three children:

• Saif Ali Khan (born 1970), a famous Bollywood actor.
• Saba Ali Khan (born 1976), a jewelry designer.
• Soha Ali Khan (born 1978), also a Bollywood actress.

Tagore has several grandchildren. Saif is married to actress Kareena Kapoor, and they have two sons. He also has a daughter, Sara Ali Khan, and a son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, from his first marriage. Soha is married to actor Kunal Khemu, and they have a daughter.

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and Honours

Tagore receiving the Padma Bhushan from President Pranab Mukherjee in 2013.

National Honours

• 1999: Order of Arts and Letters (from the French government)
• 2013: Padma Bhushan (from the Indian government)

Film Awards

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Tagore has received many awards for her lifelong contribution to cinema.

• 1998: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2002: Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2011: IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2012: Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Edinburgh University
• 2023: Bimal Roy Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

See also

In Spanish: Sharmila Tagore para niños