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Sharmila Tagore’s son, actor Saif Ali Khan, once opened up on the personal side of his mother.
Saif Ali Khan opens up on mother Sharmila Tagore.
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore is in the spotlight as she graced the 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpet alongside longtime friend and fellow screen icon Simi Garewal. The duo came together for the special screening of Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), Satyajit Ray’s timeless classic, now restored in stunning 4K. The screening was introduced by acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson, a known admirer of Ray’s work. The two legendary stars were also seen at the premiere of Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, drawing admiration for their elegance and cinematic legacy.
Amid the buzz, an older, heartfelt interview with Sharmila Tagore’s son, actor Saif Ali Khan, has resurfaced — offering a glimpse into the personal side of the icon. Speaking to Rediff on her 77th birthday in 2021, Saif painted a vivid portrait of his mother, not just as a celebrated actress, but as the quiet force behind the family’s royal heritage and home.
He had shared, “My mother never throws away anything. She patches things up, fixes them, and they live on in another incarnation.”
Referring to her influence over the royal residence in Haryana, he said, “Marrying into a royal family, she’s played a huge part in preserving, restoring and turning Pataudi into arguably the prettiest little palace in India.”
Interestingly, despite her immense contribution, Sharmila Tagore has chosen to remain largely invisible in the decor of the palace, said son Saif. “There’s not a single picture of hers in the palace — just one of her receiving the National Award in the corridor, tucked away under the bookcase — but her aura is everywhere. From the gardens to the blinds, she’s there in every little detail. So there is no need for pictures to stamp her presence,” he revealed.
Saif also spoke fondly of her ability to balance stardom with domestic life. He said, “It’s rare for an actor to run a home as well as my mother has. She has all the graces of an excellent host. She’s like a finishing school, she trains her staff impeccably. And she would get really upset because the business family who lived opposite us would then double their salary and poach them away.”
Sharmila Tagore married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi and former captain of the Indian cricket team, in 1969. They had three children. Their oldest son, Saif Ali Khan, is a Bollywood actor, married to actress Kareena Kapoor. Their daughter, Saba Ali Khan, is a jewellery designer and looks after the family’s royal trust. Their youngest child, Soha Ali Khan, is also an actor and writer, married to actor-director Kunal Kemmu. Sharmila Tagore was recently seen in the Bengali film Puratawn alongside Rituparna Sengupta.
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