Sharmila Tagore, Actress
Actress

Sharmila Tagore

Born 8 December 1944 · Uttar Pradesh

Starred in the landmark film 'Aradhana' (1969), which became a major Bollywood hit.

Sharmila Tagore also known by her married name Begum Ayesha Sultana, is an Indian actress whose career has spanned over six decades across Hindi and Bengali films. In recognition of her contributions to cinema, she was honoured with Commander of Order of Arts and Letters by Government of France in 1999, and Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2013. Tagore is also a recipient of two National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Sharmila Tagore is related to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and actress Devika Rani, linking her to two pillars of Indian cultural history.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1959, at age 14, Sharmila Tagore debuted in Satyajit Ray's Bengali classic The World of Apu, beginning a six-decade-long film career rooted in Kolkata's rich cultural landscape.
2
In 1964, she crossed into Hindi cinema with Kashmir Ki Kali, directed by Shakti Samanta, marking her entry into Bollywood's romantic genre.
3🏆 Her 1969 role in Aradhana earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, a milestone that solidified her status in Hindi cinema’s golden era.
4Collaborating repeatedly with Satyajit Ray, she portrayed complex characters in films like Nayak (1966) and Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), which explored nuanced human emotions rarely seen in Indian cinema then.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2013
Padma Bhushan
—
National Film Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Her debut film, The World of Apu (1959), was directed by Satyajit Ray when she was just 14, marking one of the youngest lead actresses in Indian cinema at the time.

🖼️

Through the Years

8 photographs from the archives
Sharmila Tagore inaugurating the Week-End Film Festival tribute to Satyajit Ray in New Delhi (2005)
Sharmila Tagore inaugurating the Week-End Film Festival tribute to Satyajit Ray in New Delhi (2005)
2005
Sharmila Tagore as a jury member at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Sharmila Tagore posing for a portrait photograph (2009)
Sharmila Tagore at the Lux Golden Rose Awards (2016)
Sharmila Tagore leading Bangladesh International Film Festival delegation meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (2024)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Cawnpore, United Provinces
Sharmila Tagore was born into the prominent Bengali Tagore family, linking her to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
1944
⚡
Career
Film debut in The World of Apu
At 14, she debuted in Satyajit Ray's Bengali film The World of Apu, starting her career in art cinema.
1959
⚡
Career
Entered Hindi cinema with Kashmir Ki Kali
Sharmila Tagore made her Bollywood debut with director Shakti Samanta’s Kashmir Ki Kali.
1964
🏅
Award
Won Filmfare Best Actress for Aradhana
Her performance in Aradhana earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, a landmark in her Hindi film career.
1969
🏅
Award
National Film Award for Best Actress
Sharmila Tagore won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in Mausam.
1975
🏅
Award
Received French cultural honor
France awarded her the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters recognizing her cinematic contributions.
1999
⚡
Career
Became CBFC Chairperson
She was appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, shaping Indian film policy until 2011.
2004
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
India honored her with the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian award.
2013
⚡
Career
Film comeback with Gulmohar
After a 13-year break, she returned to acting with Gulmohar, which won Best Hindi Film at the National Film Awards.
2023
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1999, France awarded her the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, recognizing her contributions to cinema beyond Indian borders.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

She served as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification from 2004 to 2011, a crucial period for Indian film regulation.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Her film Gulmohar (2023) won the Best Hindi Film at the 70th National Film Awards, marking a significant comeback after 13 years away from acting.

No quote recorded for Sharmila Tagore yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sharmila Tagore, Bollywood actress speaks of her early years
More from this archive
Sharmila Tagore, Bollywood actress speaks of her early years
01
Sharmila Tagore, Bollywood actress speaks of her early years
Sharmila Tagore : Safar : The Journey in conversation with Diya Jaiswal
02
Sharmila Tagore : Safar : The Journey in conversation with Diya Jaiswal
Special Report: Sharmila Tagore Remembers Co-Star Dharmendra, 'His Smile Came From The Heart'
03
Special Report: Sharmila Tagore Remembers Co-Star Dharmendra, 'His Smile Came From The Heart'
Sharmila Tagore shares her memory from the movie #KashmirKiKali with @rotalks
04
Sharmila Tagore shares her memory from the movie #KashmirKiKali with @rotalks
Tracing the Journey of Indian Cinema – and Her Life – With Sharmila Tagore #DilsewithKapilSibal
05
Tracing the Journey of Indian Cinema – and Her Life – With Sharmila Tagore #DilsewithKapilSibal
Sharmila Tagore recalls her first day on Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar set | Tweak India
06
Sharmila Tagore recalls her first day on Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar set | Tweak India
The Icons: Sharmila Tagore and Twinkle Khanna | Tweak Summit 2023
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The Icons: Sharmila Tagore and Twinkle Khanna | Tweak Summit 2023
IN CONVERSATION- SHARMILA TAGORE
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IN CONVERSATION- SHARMILA TAGORE
Sharmila Tagore On Her Comeback, Manoj Bajpayee And Rahul On Gulmohar | Exclusive
09
Sharmila Tagore On Her Comeback, Manoj Bajpayee And Rahul On Gulmohar | Exclusive
In Conversation with Sharmila Tagore | #WEAAD2023
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In Conversation with Sharmila Tagore | #WEAAD2023

🌱 What changed because of them

Sharmila Tagore’s collaborations with Satyajit Ray helped elevate Bengali cinema’s narrative depth internationally, influencing generations of filmmakers. As chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, she played a key role in shaping Indian film policies during the 2000s, navigating censorship and creative freedom. Her cross-industry success bridged Bengali and Hindi cinema, expanding the scope for actresses in India.

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