Sharmila Tagore

A veteran actress, and a style icon of the 60s and 70s, Sharmila Tagore is renowned for her significant contributions to both Hindi and Bengali cinema. Sharmila embarked on her cinematic journey at the age of 14 with Satyajit Ray's acclaimed Bengali epic drama ‘Apur Sansar’ (1959) which marked the beginning of a prolific career spanning several decades and established her as a leading figure in Indian cinema. Known for her bold fashion choices, she was the first Indian actress to wear a bikini on screen in ‘An Evening in Paris’. 

Also known by her married name Begum Ayesha Sultana, Sharmila's collaboration with Satyajit Ray continued with films like ‘Devi’ (1960), ‘Nayak’ (1966), ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’ (1970), and ‘Seemabaddha’ (1971), strengthening her status as a prominent actress in Bengali cinema. 

Her transition to Hindi films was marked by her debut in Shakti Samanta's romantic drama ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ (1964), which was a massive success. She soon became one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema with notable films such as ‘Waqt’ (1965), ‘Anupama’ (1966), ‘An Evening in Paris (1967)’, ‘Aradhana’ (1969), and ‘Amar Prem’ (1972).

Throughout the 1970s, Sharmila's career soared with a series of successful films, particularly her pairings with Rajesh Khanna, which became iconic. 

In addition to her acting skills, Sharmila Tagore has also served as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification from October 2004 to March 2011 and was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2005. 

After a hiatus, Sharmila made a comeback in 2023 with the film ‘Gulmohar’, which earned her critical acclaim and the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress (Critics) in a Web Original Film. 

Sharmila Tagore's illustrious career, her contributions to Indian culture, and her lasting impact on fashion and film make her one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema.