On the brink of International Women’s Day, I recently came across an interview of legendary Indian actress Sharmila Tagore with journalist Barkha Dutt. Ms. Tagore was promoting her new film, Gulmohar. And I found it fascinating studying Ms. Tagore as she answered the interviewer's questions, reflecting on vignettes from her life.
Here was a woman who understood nuance, who derived pleasures from following her heart at every turn. A childlike curiosity still intact despite the years. She came across as a beautiful butterfly, an independent spirit who pursued her passions and explored her desires unabashedly: yet managing to retain her sensitivity and inherent femininity.
"She came across as a beautiful butterfly, an independent spirit who pursued her passions and explored her desires unabashedly: yet managing to retain her sensitivity and inherent femininity."
She was asked about donning an infamous bikini for a shoot back in her heyday, becoming one of the first Indian women to do so in a film magazine which led to a huge uproar and became a topic of national conversation till date: unsurprising given the country's conservative milieu. However, Ms. Tagore remain unfazed by the question, merely reasoning her decision with, "I thought I looked quite nice." There was no guile, no arrogance, no pretense...just simplicity and candor that was refreshing; so unlike the artifice and jadedness one often sees in public figures.
It was interesting to learn that Ms. Tagore began her career at age thirteen, merely a child, when she was cast by legendary Indian Oscar winning director, Satyajit Ray, for the first of his Apu films. She then reflected on her transition to Bollywood or Hindi language films during the sixties and seventies, noting that the lead actresses of her day were expected to be paragons of beauty and morality on screen, often stymied with stereotypical roles as the damsel in distress (with a lot of "hand wringing" and "copious crying" as Ms. Tagore humorously noted). In contrast, the women cast in those films as "the vamp," the slightly negative or grey female characters, portrayed often by legendary actress Helen, seemed to have more fun as they wore glamorous costumes and danced to catchy songs, exploring their sensuality on screen without as much judgement.
But unlike other actresses of her time, Ms. Tagore was not one to conform or limit her boundaries, opting to follow her instincts despite the judgements of others (such as wearing a bikini or living alone in a hotel in Mumbai at the peak of her career); actions that were deemed bold and rebellious (being met by swift "damage control" by her directors). A rarity for an Indian woman of her time. When asked by the interviewer if working in films as a married woman was challenging, Ms. Tagore thoughtfully notes that there were other women who preceded her whose struggles were far greater: such as her grandmother who was married off as the tender age of six or seven (at a time when child marriage was allowed). Then going on to raise several children of her own while being a child herself. Then there was her mother, who was not encouraged by her family to pursue her education - having to study by the street lamps at night as her mother's uncle would turn off the lights in the house by a certain hour. In relation to these larger sacrifices made by the women in her own family, Ms. Tagore concludes that her journey had been much easier.
Then there was her marriage to the famous Indian cricketer, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, affectionately known as Tiger by his close family and friends. It was an inter-faith marriage that was unconventional for the times and remains a controversial subject till date. When asked about the challenges she may have faced with her decision to marry, Sharmila observed that there were several anonymous death threats made to her and her spouse’s family. However, such things didn’t matter to the two of them as they had simply pursued their hearts and married for love. “And love is such an emotion that transcends all these things and your personal safety,” Ms. Tagore calmly and confidently shares, a gentle smile on her face. Again a statement so simple, yet so profound and thought provoking.
It was also fascinating to hear Sharmila Tagore’s perspective on what matters in life and how she views the world. She stresses the importance of living a rich and fulfilling life and engaging with the world, making a conscious effort to move beyond the narrow confines of one’s job and comfort zone. She shares an instance from years back while traveling for a shoot, when she spotted a few men by the roadside sleeping on the pavement, later creating a bed on the street and inventing games on the footpath with the limited resources they had. She discusses how such experiences observing people in the real world enriched her mind and broadened her horizons as an artist and a human being. It’s heartwarming when she shares her emotional reasons for wanting to stay near Delhi — how she still feels her husband’s presence with her, despite the years since his passing.
I found this conversation special. Here was a sensitive artist, an elegant Indian woman, who knew her mind and lived by her heart. As Sharmila calmly concludes towards the end of the interview, “[I have] no major regrets…I have pretty much done what I wanted to do…so no regrets.” As we approach International Women’s Day on March 8, here’s hoping the rest can follow our hearts and do the same.
"[I have] no major regrets…I have pretty much done what I wanted to do…so no regrets."
