Sharmila Tagore reflects on marriage and motherhood; says, “I’ve lived my life following my convictions”

Sharmila Tagore talks about her marriage and motherhood.

October 15, 2023 - 3:34 PM IST

Sharmila Tagore, a renowned veteran Bollywood actress with a stellar career spanning decades recently shared insights into her life choices, marriage, and parenthood in a candid conversation with The Quorum. Her iconic union with legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968 resulted in a beautiful family, including Saba Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan, and Soha Ali Khan – all of whom have made their mark in the world of entertainment.

Sharmila Tagore reflects on marriage and motherhood; says, “I’ve lived my life following my convictions”

Sharmila Tagore spoke about her approach to life decisions and how she has often gone against conventional wisdom. She emphasized her belief in following her convictions, a principle that has guided her throughout her life. She revealed, “I've lived my life following my convictions. And I've taken lots of decisions that have gone against the grain at that time–getting married, deciding to have children because I believe that there's a body clock. There's a time to wear a bikini and a time to do something else. The timing of life is very important, to adapt to change, to grow with that time, to keep yourself relevant. For that, you have to be in tune with your surroundings and learn from everybody.”

In the same interview, the icon was asked to share advice for aspiring actors. With her characteristic wisdom, she humbly acknowledged the complexity of offering advice in a field where personal journeys vary greatly. She noted, “Well, the first thing one learns is not to give advice because everybody reacts to it differently when they do ask for advice. But when you tell them, they don't really like it. This is what has been my experience. So, they want to vent or they want to share, perhaps, but everybody has to choose their own way. It's difficult to give advice to anybody because my journey and the choices I've made are my own.”

Sharmila Tagore's illustrious career began at the age of 14 with a role in the acclaimed Bengali drama The World of Apu, directed by Satyajit Ray. She not only solidified her position in Bengali cinema but also emerged as a prominent figure in Bollywood. Her repertoire includes iconic films such as Kashmir Ki Kali, Amar Prem, Daag, among others. Sharmila Tagore shared the screen with legendary actors like Dilip Kumar and Bollywood icons such as Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar. Her versatile acting prowess left an indelible mark on the industry. More recently, she was seen in the family drama Gulmohar.

Also Read: Soha Ali Khan shares heartwarming picture with mother Sharmila Tagore; see post