A Bengali actress who achieved success young, Sharmila appeared in numerous Bengali classics before making the jump to Hindi cinema, which made her a sex symbol. The great-granddaughter of poet Rabindranath Tagore, she is also the wife of His Highness Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Nawab of Pataudi, with whom she has three children, actor Saif Ali Khan born 16 August 1970, Saba and Soha Ali Khan, born 4 October 1978.

Mother of Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan

She has been appointed the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification in India, taking over from Anupam Kher, who has thus far not resigned from this position.

Her dad's name is Gitindranath Tagore.