In Bollywood, where glamour and controversy intertwine, few figures stand as timeless icons. Sharmila Tagore, the veteran actor whose illustrious career has spanned decades, is undeniably one such luminary. In the latest season of “Koffee with Karan,” Sharmila Tagore, alongside her son Saif Ali Khan, revealed riveting insights into her life, including a candid discussion about a moment that became etched in Bollywood history—the iconic bikini cover.
Sharmila Tagore, a paragon of grace and poise, shared with Karan Johar the intriguing tale behind her famous bikini cover. When the topic surfaced, Johar delved deep into the controversy, asking Tagore about the photographer’s concerns and the aftermath of the bold photoshoot.
Koffee With Karan: Sharmila Tagore Breaks Silence On Her Bikini Photoshoot
Sharmila Tagore, known for her unyielding spirit, expressed that the photographer had reservations, yet she herself felt confident and beautiful. However, the fallout proved to be unexpectedly painful. She recounted, “Yes, the photographer was slightly worried and I just thought I looked very nice. It really hurt me later because everybody interpreted it in such a way that I was upwardly mobile, I was trying to catch eyeballs. I didn’t feel like that.
When it came out in Filmfare, I was in London and I was unaware till Shakti (Samanta, director) ji called me and said, will you come back quickly? There are terrible things happening here. He said if you want to be in the public eye, this is not the way to go.”
As the conversation unfolded, Sharmila Tagore shed light on the dynamics behind the scenes. Johar, in his inimitable style, probed further, extracting details about the photographer’s initial fears and the widespread opposition to the groundbreaking cover. Tagore, with her trademark honesty, acknowledged the photographer’s worries and expressed her contentment with the photograph. However, the public reaction, especially the negative interpretations, left her deeply distressed.
Sharmila Tagore’s journey in Bollywood commenced with the film “Apur Sansar” in 1959, directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray. Her ethereal beauty and acting prowess soon captured the industry’s attention, paving the way for her Bollywood debut in Shakti Samanta’s “Kashmir Ki Kali” in 1964.
Tagore’s career reached new heights as she essayed memorable roles in films like “Aradhana,” “Amar Prem,” and “Chupke Chupke.” Her on-screen chemistry with the legendary Rajesh Khanna became the stuff of cinematic legend, contributing to numerous box office successes.
In the subsequent decades, Sharmila Tagore displayed remarkable versatility by taking on unconventional roles. Her portrayal of strong, independent women in films like “Mausam” and “Safar” showcased her ability to transcend conventional stereotypes. Tagore’s contributions to cinema were duly recognized with several accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Actress for her stellar performance in the film “Mausam.”
