Sharmila Tagore’s films are synonymous with elegance and grace, she is a great actress who has charmed audiences in both Bengali and Hindi cinema. She is known for her brilliant performances throughout her illustrious career.
Having made her Bollywood debut in Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Apur Sansar, Tagore’s career progressed with films such as Kashmir Ki Kali that established her as a leading Bollywood star. Tagore’s allure was not limited to beauty; she had a striking screen presence and a talent for playing complex characters.
From romantic leads to strong dramatic roles, she excelled in every genre and became one of the highest-paid actresses of her era. Tagore’s legacy extends beyond the screen as well. Now, let’s take a look at some of her best films!
9 best movies of Sharmila Tagore that show her pure acting skills
Worship
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Farida Jalal, Subhash Ghai, Sujit Kumar, Madan Puri
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Movie Genre: Romance, Musical
- Release Year: 1969
- Where to watch: Prime Video
Aradhana is considered one of the best films of Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. Vandana (Sharmila Tagore) falls in love with pilot Arun. Tragedy strikes when Arun dies in a plane crash. Disowned by her family and ostracised by her own people, Vandana is forced to abandon her son Suraj.
She takes a job as his nanny, and endures years of heartache to be close to him. The film features themes of love, loss, and sacrifice, with Tagore giving a powerful performance as the devoted Vandana.
Season
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, Om Shiv Puri
- IMDB Rating: 8/10
- Movie Genre: Musical, Romance
- Release Year: 1975
- Where to watch: YouTube
Sharmila Tagore and Sanjeev Kumar’s film Mausam revolves around Chanda, who has a complicated past. The film raises sensitive topics of its time, depicting Chanda’s life in a brothel and her yearning for love.
Sanjeev Kumar plays a man who gets attracted to her. Sharmila Tagore’s portrayal of Chanda is considered one of her most challenging roles, in which she showcased her ability as a dramatic actress.
immortal love
- Cast: Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Vinod Khanna, Madan Puri, Om Prakash, Bindu
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Movie Genre: Romance, Drama
- Release Year: 1972
- Where to watch: YouTube
Amar Prem stars Sharmila Tagore as Pushpa, a woman forced into prostitution in Kolkata. Despite her circumstances, Pushpa has a kind heart. She befriends a lonely businessman (Rajesh Khanna) and a young boy (Vinod Mehra) who is mistreated by his stepmother.
The film explores themes of social prejudice, unconventional relationships and the enduring power of human connections. Tagore’s portrayal of Pushpa is both sensitive and strong, making her a memorable character.
in hiding
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
- Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Release Year: 1975
- Where to watch: YouTube
Chupke Chupke is a light-hearted comedy starring Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. Sulekha falls in love with the charming Professor Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra), who is known for his mischief.
To gain his family’s acceptance, Parimal disguises himself as a studious botany professor, leading to comical situations. Sharmila Tagore shines as Sulekha, who navigates the chaos with wit and grace, while their chemistry adds to the film’s comic energy.
Salty
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, Shabana Azmi, Waheeda Rehman, Kamaldeep
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Movie Genre: Drama
- Release Year: 1982
- Where to watch: YouTube
Sharmila Tagore’s film Namkeen is based on the lives of three sisters, of whom Tagore is the eldest and lives with her mother in a remote village. The mother is a former folk dancer. Nimki is practical and reliable, who holds the family together.
A truck driver named Gerulal (Sanjeev Kumar) becomes their tenant, sparking unexpected connections and laughter in their unconventional home. Tagore’s performance as Nimki highlights her ability to exude strength and warmth, while the film explores themes of family, resilience, and finding joy in life’s simple moments.
Anupama
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, Deven Verma, Tarun Bose, Shashikala
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Movie Genre: Romance, Drama
- Release Year: 1966
- Where to watch: YouTube
Anupama is the story of Uma (Sharmila Tagore), a young woman who is emotionally neglected by her workaholic father Mohan (Tarun Bose), who blames her for the death of his wife during childbirth. Uma grows up lonely and introverted.
The film deals with themes of grief, parental neglect and Uma’s struggle to overcome her difficult childhood and find solace as she seeks relationships in adulthood. Sharmila Tagore gives a touching performance as Uma, depicting her transformation from an introverted child to an optimistic young woman.
Yonger daughter-in-law
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Shashikala, Nirupa Roy Jr., Mehmood,
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
- Movie Genre: Family, Drama
- Release Year: 1971
- Where to watch: YouTube
Chhoti Bahu stars Sharmila Tagore as Radha, the daughter of a wealthy businessman who has a secret – she suffers from epilepsy due to separation from her beloved doll. To secure her future, her father arranges her marriage to a kind-hearted doctor Madhu (Rajesh Khanna), without informing him of her condition.
Starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, the film explores themes of acceptance, sacrifice and pursuing love with hidden truths. Tagore portrays the weakness and strength in Radha’s personality, depicting the challenges she faces and finds love.
an evening in paris
- Cast: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Pran, Rajendra Nath
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Movie Genre: Thriller, Romance
- Release Year: 1967
- Where to watch: YouTube
An Evening in Paris (1967) stars Sharmila Tagore in a double role. Deepa, a romantic soul, goes to Paris in search of love. There, she meets Shyam (Shammi Kapoor). However, a villain, Shekhar (Pran), who has to marry Deepa for his debts, deceives her and replaces her with her lookalike Suzy.
Tagore plays both the innocent Deepa and the charming Suzy, who go through the ups and downs of love, deception and adventure in the city of lights.
Bud of Kashmir
- Cast: Sharmila Tagore, Shammi Kapoor, Pran, Nazir Hussain, Anoop Kumar
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Movie Genre: Romance, Comedy
- Release Year: 1984
- Where to watch: YouTube
Kashmir Ki Kali featured Sharmila Tagore making her debut in Hindi films as Champa, a beautiful and innocent Kashmiri flower seller. Rajeev (Shammi Kapoor), a rich young man, falls for her charms. Despite her father’s disapproval, their love blossoms.
This Sharmila Tagore film is a classic romance with beautiful views of Kashmir, lovely music and comical moments. Tagore won the hearts of the audience with her captivating beauty and genuine emotion in the role of Champa and made her a star in Bollywood.
Sharmila Tagore’s recent films are Gulmohar and Break Ke Baad and even after her time away from the spotlight, Tagore’s influence continues to inspire future generations of actors. Her enduring beauty, captivating acting and dedication to social causes have established her as a true legend of Indian cinema.
