Sharmila Tagore is one of the most legendary, evergreen actresses of her generation in Bollywood. She had began her journey in films at the age of 13, when she was roped into playing the pivotal character of ‘Aparna’ in Satyajit Ray’s classic film, Apur Sansar. Having a career with no looking back, Sharmila went on to become a part of some of the most amazing films across multiple languages, including Hindi and Bengali. Speaking about her personal life, Sharmila got married to eminent cricketer, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968. The duo have three children, Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali Pataudi and Soha Ali Khan.
In a recent interaction with the YouTube channel, Quorum, Sharmila Tagore candidly recalled taking her first step into the film world, at the age of 13. For the unversed, she was offered to play the iconic character of ‘Aparna’ in Satyajit Ray’s second instalment of The Apu Trilogy, titled Apur Sansar. The diva recalled how the eminent filmmaker, Satyajit Ray called her grandfather, Gitindranath Tagore and asked the latter’s permission to rope in a young Sharmila for the role. Sharing how she couldn’t fathom becoming an overnight heartthrob by working in such a prestigious role, Sharmila mentioned:
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“Working in that film, and when that film was released, the kind of praise it received, just changed my life. I became the heartthrob of Bengal overnight at the age of 13. At that time, I didn’t even appreciate what was happening.”
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In the same interaction, Sharmila spoke about her grandfather’s apprehension that her studies shouldn’t be affected by the shooting of the films. Moreover, she mentioned her father’s reaction to bagging her first film at such a young age. She recalled her father asking the filmmaker, Satyajit not to give her any payment, and even warned the filmmaker to not take her for the film, if she wouldn’t listen to what was being told. In her words:
“Of course, there is no question of getting paid, and if you think she is making an ass of herself, please don’t take her. I didn’t make an ass of myself.”
In the concluding segment of the interview, Sharmila mentioned how she never had the faintest idea of working into films, as she wanted to pursue academics and do History Honours. However, with destiny’s other plans, after her first debut, she landed up in another Satyajit Ray film, Devi. Recalling how her life as an actress was not something she ever looked upto, she said:
“Once again, I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t really have the kind of life I was looking at. I wanted to do History Honours.”
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In one of her previous interactions with Twinkle Khanna, Sharmila Tagore had revealed some fond anecdotes from her personal life. She walked down the memory lane and recalled moments with the love of her life, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. She revealed how after a few years of their courtship, Mansoor had set out a witty plan to ask her out on a coffee date. She recalled staying with a few of her friends in Mumbai, when Mansoor had sent across a message via her friend, asking whether the actress purchased five fridges. Once Sharmila got nervous about it, Mansoor then broke the prank and asked her out on a date.
What do you think about Sharmila Tagore’s revelations? Let us know.
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