The fourth edition of SCREEN Live witnessed legendary actor Sharmila Tagore opening up about her illustrious career and personal life. During the interaction, she reflected on her tenure as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) from 2004 to 2011, offering insights into her efforts to balance creative freedom with societal and governmental expectations. Sharmila described her role as a mediator who aimed to bridge the gap between civil society and the government.
She said, “When I was there, very few cuts were demanded in films except for instances where we genuinely thought it would harm the producer. We did it for their sake. I don’t think there was too much interference from the CBFC at that time. However, the more liberal we became, the more difficult the audience became. I wanted to be a bridge between civil society and the government. One section of society wanted to do away with censorship altogether, while another wanted stricter regulations.”
Sharmila elaborated further on the complexities of the role, saying, “Freedom of speech is guaranteed by our Constitution, but there is also a clause to uphold the law and order situation. It’s not something you can easily define—what will upset someone and what won’t. You have to go for that and that’s what I tried to bring during my tenure.”
Born into the renowned Tagore family, Sharmila made her acting debut at the age of 14 in Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed Bengali film The World of Apu (1959). Her collaboration with Ray continued in several films, earning her recognition for her talent. She later transitioned to mainstream Hindi cinema, making her debut with Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Sharmila went on to star in numerous iconic films, including Waqt (1965), Anupama (1966), An Evening in Paris (1967), Aamne Saamne (1967), Satyakam (1969), Aradhana (1969), Safar (1970), Amar Prem (1972), and many more. These movies not only showcased her versatility but also cemented her status as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema.
Sharmila Tagore was also one of the few actors of her era who continued working after her marriage to cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi—an exception during those times. Despite taking a 13-year hiatus, she made a triumphant return to the screen in 2023 with the critically acclaimed film Gulmohar. She will next be seen on the big screen in Sunil Sukthankar’s Outhouse.
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