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We might know Sharmila Tagore popularly as Saif Ali Khan's mother in today's time. But there are many other things about the legendary actress that we do not know, but it is worth knowing. The actress had a lot of feathers to her cap, which as generations changed, people tend to forget. So today, on the occasion of her birthday we will share a few facts about this veteran actress that we must know.Family History
Sharmila Tagore, who later became Begum Ayesha Sultana was born in Hyderabad State to Ira Baruah, an Assamese and Gitindranath Tagore, a Bengali. Sharmila Tagore's father Gitindranath Tagore, was then deputy general manager of the East India Company owner of Elgin Mills.Her Early Career
She began her career as an actress with Satyajit Ray's 1959 Bengali hit film Apur Sansar, as the ill-fated bride, who played the title character. She later appeared in Shakti Samanta's ‘Kashmir Ki Kali' in 1964.
She later turned out to have a great career and has been a part of some great films.Bollywood's First Bikini Babe
In Evening in Paris' (1967), she became the first Indian actress to appear in a bikini, which established her as kind of a sex symbol in Bollywood films. Later she also posed in a bikini for the prestigious Filmfare magazine in 1968.Wife to Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
She married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi and former captain of the Indian cricket team on 27 December 1969. After which she converted to Islam and took on the name Ayesha Sultana. They have three children, Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan, a jewellery designer. Not many know that she has shared screen space with her son Saif in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) which was an action thriller by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and also is Saif's debut film Aashik Awara (1993).Her Achievements
In 2013, she was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
She won her first National Award for Best Actress in 1975 with Gulzar directorial, Mausam. In December 2005 she was chosen as a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF. The actress has led the Indian Film Censor Board as the chairperson from October 2004 till March 2011.The Versatile Actress
The actress has appeared in a wide range of variety films, from being part of ten Bengali film to being part of English, Marathi, Malayalam films, this talented actress has been part of films in varied languages and has done a grand total of 65 films till date.The Tagore Connection
The Tagore in the actress’s name does in fact come from the legendary Rabindranath Tagore, from her both paternal and maternal side. Sharmila’s father was the grandson of Rabindranath Tagore’s first cousin’s grandson. Her maternal grandmother was the granddaughter of Rabindranath’s brother.