Sharmila Tagore's daughter, Soha Ali Khan, reveals her mother was the breadwinner and was often absent at home: 'It was very normal'

One of the highest-paid leading ladies in the 1960s, Sharmila Tagore didn’t let marriage be a deterrent to her illustrious career. After tying the knot with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the titular Nawab of Pataudi and Bhopal and former captain of the Indian cricket team, in 1968, she continued to enjoy a thriving career till the 1980s.

At a time when women were expected to give up their career post marriage, Tagore remained one of the busiest stars in the industry, delivering several hits such as ‘Amar Prem,’ Mausam, Chupke Chupke, Aaradhana, Daag etc.

In a chat with Instant Bollywood, Tagore’s daughter Soha Ali Khan revealed how her mother was the breadwinner in the family and her father was the stay-at-home parent.


“When I was born, my mother was still working, and she loved her work. She was the breadwinner. She was very ambitious. She made time for both work and family. But that meant that she was not there for many things at home. But it never bothered us. There were no misgivings; it was very normal."

Soha then added that her father used to be at home, looking after the kids.

In an interview given to Livemint in 2013, Sharmila Tagore recalled the skepticism she faced when she decided to marry while continuing her career in cinema. According to her, many individuals at the time openly advised against her marriage, warning her that if she persisted with acting, the relationship would not survive even a year.

“It was predicted that my marriage wouldn’t last a year if I continued working…” she said.

Tagore explained that her personal life became a subject of intense speculation, both in the media and among the public, who seemed convinced by the idea—promoted repeatedly in films of that era—that professional ambitions and married life could not coexist. She reflected that, contrary to these assumptions, she was able to maintain a fulfilling balance between her marriage, her responsibilities as a mother, and her flourishing career in films, without any major conflict.

Sharmila Tagore entered into matrimony with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, on December 27, 1968. The couple went on to have three children—actor Saif Ali Khan, jewelry designer Saba Ali Khan, and actress Soha Ali Khan. Their marriage, which endured for over four decades, came to a close with the passing of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in September 2011, when he was 70 years old.