Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s love story remains one of the most celebrated unions between Bollywood and cricket. The couple, who married on December 27, 1968, shared 43 years together until Mansoor’s death in 2011.
Sharmila Tagore, a celebrated actress, and Mansoor, famously known as “Tiger Pataudi,” India’s youngest Test cricket captain at 21 years and 77 days, built a life together while excelling in their respective fields. They had three children—Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, and Saba Pataudi.
In a candid interview with Simi Garewal, Mansoor once admitted he was never particularly interested in films, even after meeting Sharmila. When asked what the name “Sharmila Tagore” meant to him before they got involved, Mansoor bluntly replied, “Nothing”. Sharmila humorously added that he was only familiar with actresses Vyjayanthimala and Meena Kumari at the time.
Sharing a light-hearted memory from their courtship days, Sharmila recalled how Mansoor once walked out of a screening of Mere Hamdam Mere Dost despite them being together. Mansoor clarified that he had never enjoyed films and still didn’t. However, Sharmila playfully remarked that he now watches all of their son Saif Ali Khan’s movies, showing how family has kept him connected to cinema.
