By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
वादा करो नहीं छोड़ोगी तुम मेरा साथ
जहाँ तुम हो वहाँ मैं भी हूँ
छुओ नहीं देखो ज़रा पीछे रखो हाथ
जवाँ तुम हो जवाँ मैं भी हूँ
Born this day in Hyderabad in 1944,Sharmila Tagore started her film career with renowned Indian film maker Satyajit Ray’s “Apur Sansar” ( 1959). Gifted with beauty & a marvelous figure to boast ,the nubile starlet debuted opposite dancing jack Shammi Kapooor in “Kashmir Ki Kali ” in 1964 to make her presence felt. The film a musical hit offered floodgates of new assignment & there was no looking back for the newest arrival in Hindi films. She surprised everyone when she slipped into a bikini in “An Evening in Paris “, again opposite Shammi Kapoor. Her other similar films were “Aamne Samne” & “Sawan Ki Ghata”. She married Nawab Pataudi following a few year romancing stint in 1969.
After marriage she suddenly changed herself to the surprise of many in the industry falling for social films with a message – the likes of “Aradhna”, ” Amar Prem”, “Safar”, “Anupama”, and last but not the least “Mausam” opposite late Sanjeev Kumar to prove her histrionics touching new heights of artistry, excellence & respectability. Her acting was a marvel to watch playing a prostitute in “Mausam”. She enacted a double role in the film termed as classic by many. Her chemistry was fantastic with Rajesh Khanna with whom she worked in some of the above mentioned films. She worked opposite Dharmendra in “Devar” featuring Deven Verma, who plays her husband another memorable film. She worked opposite Shashi Kapoor in “Aa Gale Lag Ja” a musical hit.
She was cast opposite Dharmendra in Devar, Anupama, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Satyakam (1969), Yakeen (1969) & Chupke Chupke (1975). In ‘Amanush’ (1975) , ‘Anand Ashram’ (1977) & ‘Dooriyaan’ (1979) she worked opposite Uttam Kumar.
It would be injustice if we did not mention some memorable numbers from her films like ‘Kabhie Raat Din Him Door The’, ‘ Wada Karo Nahi Chodogi Tum Mera Saath’, ‘Hum The Jinke Sahara’ , ‘ Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wohi Baat Karenge’, ‘ Duniya Main Aisa Kahan Sabka Naseeb Hai’, ‘Baharon Ne Mera Chaman Loot Kar’, ‘Gun Guna Rahe Hain Bhanvre’, ‘ Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera’ & ‘Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra’, & ‘ Meri Jaan Balle Balle’the last two being from her debut film.
Her son, daughter & daughter – in- law are known film stars. Her accolades include two National & two Filmfare Awards as Actress. She won National Award for Best Actress for “Mausam” & Supporting Actress for “Abar Aranye”. She won Filmfare Best Actress Award for “Aradhana” & Lifetime Achievement Award for her performance & services to Hindi cinema. Was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2013. She retired in 2010.
