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Sharmila Tagore Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth8 December 1944

Age80 Years

BirthplaceHyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

ProfessionIndian Actress

NationalityIndian

Marital statusWidow

SpouseMansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

FamilyChildren: Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan

Sharmila Tagore Biography

Sharmila Tagore is an acclaimed Indian actress whose career began in Bengali cinema and expanded into Hindi films. A recipient of multiple national awards,

Early life and background
Sharmila Tagore was born on 8 December 1944 in Hyderabad, then part of Andhra Pradesh. She spent part of her childhood in Kolkata and attended schools including Loreto Convent in Asansol and St. John’s Diocesan Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Kolkata. Born into the Tagore family, she is a direct descendant of the poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Career
Tagore’s screen debut came as a teenager in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) in 1959. She later established herself in Hindi cinema with films such as Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), and her versatility earned both popular and critical recognition across decades.

Her performances brought major awards: she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Aradhana (1970) and the National Film Award for Best Actress for Mausam (1975). She also received a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Abar Aranye (2003) and was honored with a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. The Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan on her in 2013. More recently, she won the Critics’ Choice Award (Best Actor, Female) at the Filmfare OTT Awards for her role in Gulmohar on 26 November 2023.

Tagore’s screen image evolved with the times. She took on challenging roles in art-house cinema and mainstream productions, and certain appearances — including her role in the 1967 film An Evening in Paris and a subsequent Filmfare magazine cover — contributed to her public persona in the 1960s.

Public service and industry roles
Beyond acting, Tagore served as chairperson of the Indian film censor board from October 2004 until March 2011. In 2005 she was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF India. She has remained a respected voice in matters relating to Indian cinema and cultural institutions.

Personal life
Sharmila Tagore married cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi on 27 December 1969; before the marriage she converted to Islam and adopted the name Begum Ayesha Sultana, though that name was not commonly used by her or her family. The couple had three children: a son, Saif Ali Khan, and two daughters, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. Her family includes grandchildren who are part of India’s public life. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi died in September 2011.

Public profile
Tagore’s career and background place her among the most recognizable figures in Indian cinema. She has been celebrated for work in both Bengali and Hindi films, and her achievements have been acknowledged with major national awards and civilian honors. Her taste and interests have been linked publicly to figures and traditions in Indian arts and film; she has named Satyajit Ray as a favorite director and cited classic performers and singers among her preferences.

Latest updates
In November 2012 she engaged with cricketing authorities by requesting that the India–England series be recognized as the Pataudi Trophy. In 2013 she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, and in 2023 she received a Filmfare OTT Critics’ Choice award for Gulmohar.
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Recent Work

Gulmohar

Received Critics’ Choice Award (Best Actor, Female) at the Filmfare OTT Awards on 26 November 2023.

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted in Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar (1959)
  2. Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Aradhana (1970)
  3. National Film Award for Best Actress for Mausam (1975)
  4. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1998)
  5. National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Abar Aranye (2003)
  6. Served as chairperson of the Indian film censor board (2004–2011)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sharmila Tagore born?

8 December 1944

What is Sharmila Tagore known for?

Indian Actress

What is Sharmila Tagore’s marital status?

Widow

Who is Sharmila Tagore married to?

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi