Key Points
- Sharmila Tagore celebrated her 80th birthday on December 8, 2024, with a family gathering
- Born in Hyderabad in 1944 (turning 80 in 2024), she debuted with “Kashmir Ki Kali” (1964) after Asha Parekh declined the role
- Her on-screen pairing with Rajesh Khanna produced blockbusters like “Aradhana,” “Amar Prem,” and “Safar”
- She worked in 12 films with Shashi Kapoor, creating one of Bollywood’s most successful on-screen pairs
- Converted to Islam and became Ayesha Sultana to marry cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968
- Owns assets worth Rs 2,700 crore, including palaces and mansions inherited from the Pataudi estate
- Recently appeared in “Gulmohar” (2023) after a 13-year hiatus and is set to return in “Outhouse”
Bollywood’s evergreen icon Sharmila Tagore celebrated her 80th birthday on December 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. The intimate celebration saw her son Saif Ali Khan, daughter-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan, daughters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi, son-in-law Kunal Kemmu, and grandchildren Sara Ali Khan, Inaaya Kemmu, and Jeh Ali Khan in attendance. Granddaughter Sara Ali Khan shared heartfelt photos on Instagram with the caption, “Happy Birthday Dadi Jaan. Humari family ki Aan Aur Shaan (The pride of our family),” while Kareena posted warm family moments calling her “the coolest gangsta”.
The Journey from Hyderabad to Stardom
Born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, in 1944 (not 1946 as earlier reports suggested), Sharmila Tagore made her Bollywood debut with the romantic musical “Kashmir Ki Kali” in 1964. The film came to her after Asha Parekh turned down the opportunity, a decision that proved fortuitous for Tagore’s career. Her innocence, natural beauty, and captivating screen presence won audiences over from her very first Hindi film, though she had already gained critical acclaim at age 14 in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali masterpiece “The World of Apu”.
The Shashi Kapoor Connection
Sharmila Tagore’s professional relationship with Shashi Kapoor became one of Bollywood’s most celebrated collaborations, with the duo working together in 12 films. Their pairing began with “Waqt” (1965) and included memorable hits like “Aa Gale Lag Jaa,” “Aamne Saamne,” “Kabhi Kabhie” (1976), and “Baseraa” (1981). In interviews, Tagore revealed she initially felt intimidated working with the charming Kapoor, and even admitted to having a crush on him during their early collaborations. She once shared that Shashi Kapoor’s support during a particularly difficult shoot prevented her from quitting the film industry altogether, demonstrating their deep professional bond.
The Rajesh Khanna Era
The Sharmila Tagore-Rajesh Khanna pairing emerged as one of the most bankable combinations of the 1970s, delivering consecutive box office blockbusters. Their films “Aradhana” (1969), “Amar Prem” (1972), “Safar” (1970), “Daag,” “Avishkaar,” and “Choti Bahu” became cultural phenomena, with “Aradhana” earning Tagore the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Between 1966 and 1969, she commanded the highest fees in the industry alongside Mumtaz, becoming one of Bollywood’s most expensive actresses. Her success with Rajesh Khanna solidified her position as the reigning queen of Hindi cinema during that golden era.
A Royal Love Story
Amidst her flourishing film career, Sharmila Tagore fell in love with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the celebrated cricketer and ninth Nawab of Pataudi. Their interfaith marriage in 1968 was considered groundbreaking, blending Bollywood glamour with Indian royalty. Tagore converted to Islam before the wedding and adopted the name Ayesha Sultana, though she continued using her birth name professionally. In interviews on Simi Garewal’s talk show, she revealed the conversion wasn’t easy but necessary, and it deepened her understanding of both Hinduism and Islam. The couple faced societal resistance, with Tagore’s parents receiving threatening telegrams saying “bullets shall speak,” but their 43-year marriage until Pataudi’s death in 2011 proved their love transcended religious boundaries.
The Rs 2,700 Crore Legacy
Today, Sharmila Tagore’s wealth extends far beyond her film earnings, with her net worth estimated at approximately Rs 2,700 crore. After Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s passing in 2011, she inherited his vast Pataudi estate, which includes several palaces, mansions, and extensive land holdings across India. These assets are currently managed by her daughter, Saba Ali Khan, to preserve the royal family’s heritage. This substantial fortune, combined with her own successful film career spanning five decades, has established her as one of Indian cinema’s wealthiest veterans.
Awards and Recent Work
Sharmila Tagore’s illustrious career has earned her two National Film Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and India’s third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan. Her diverse filmography includes critically acclaimed performances in “Mausam” (earning her a National Film Award for Best Actress), “Anupama,” “Satyakam,” and “Chupke Chupke”. After a 13-year hiatus from films, she returned in the 2023 family drama “Gulmohar” alongside Manoj Bajpayee, which received positive reviews. She is now set to appear in the upcoming film “Outhouse,” with the trailer released in 2024, marking her continued presence in Indian cinema at 80.
