Sharmila Tagore is a legendary Indian film actress, known for her prolific career spanning over 100 Hindi and Bengali films, and a highly respected voice in social activism and philanthropy. A distant relative of Rabindranath Tagore, she has been honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for her contributions to the arts and society. Her work extends beyond cinema, demonstrating a deep, active commitment to social welfare both in India and globally.
Her distinguished career on screen began in 1957, and she has since earned three National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. Her administrative contributions to Indian cinema are equally significant: she was chosen to lead the Indian Censor Board from 2004 to 2011 and served as an International Competition's Jury Member at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, underscoring her expertise and influence in the industry.
Tagore is deeply and actively involved in social work. In 2005, she was selected as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF India, a role she used to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, with a key focus on its impact on children. She is also passionately involved with CanSupport, a non-profit organization that funds the treatment of cancer patients, frequently participating in marathons and walkathons to raise funds.
As a speaker and philanthropist, she leverages her fame to drive meaningful social change. Her joint keynote addresses with her daughter, Soha Ali Khan, at the CRY Gala in New York successfully raised $43,000 for children globally. Her presentations draw on her experience to inspire audiences about the profound impact that celebrity platforms can have on social welfare and on solving public health challenges.
