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A Union of Bollywood and Cricket: The Legendary Love of Sharmila and Mansoor
Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s relationship is a remarkable tale that intertwines the worlds of Indian cinema and cricket. Their marriage, which took place on December 27, 1968, lasted 43 years until Mansoor’s passing in 2011. While Sharmila is revered as one of the finest actresses in Bollywood history, Mansoor, affectionately known as “Tiger Pataudi,” made his mark as the youngest Test cricket captain in India at the age of just 21 years and 77 days. Together, they proudly raised three children—Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, and Saba Pataudi.
In a candid discussion with Simi Garewal, Mansoor shared his lack of interest in films, even after falling for Sharmila. When asked what “Sharmila Tagore” meant to him before they started dating, he replied, “Nothing.” Sharmila added humorously, “He only knew Vyjayanthimala and Meena Kumari.”
An entertaining moment from their past was when they attended a screening of the film *Mere Hamdam Mere Dost* together. Sharmila recalled with a laugh that Mansoor walked out midway. Mansoor confirmed this sentiment by stating, “I wasn’t fond of films. I still am not. They don’t appeal to me.” Yet, Sharmila noted that he now follows his son Saif’s film career avidly.
Although cinema did not captivate Mansoor, Sharmila spoke of her admiration for cricket, confessing, “I’ve always enjoyed cricket, even if I don’t fully understand it. But I was a fan of ML Jaisimha.” This shared passion for their respective fields illustrates a unique dynamic in their relationship.
Sharmila also reminisced about her initial encounter with her mother-in-law, Nawab Begum Sajida Sultan of Bhopal. Overcoming her nerves, Sharmila recalled the poignant moment when Begum asked her opinion about her son. Sharmila candidly stated her fondness for Mansoor and confessed that she was still getting to know him. This honest communication set a tone for their relationship.
Despite her initial trepidation, Sharmila developed a deep and respectful relationship with Sajida Sultan over the years. Looking back, Sharmila expressed, “We shared a very healthy mutual respect for each other,” highlighting the bond that grew between them.
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