Sharmila Tagore quotes: Today is veteran Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore’s birthday. The actor who made her debut at the at of 14, in Satyajit Ray's 1959 film Apur Sansar, has worked in films of multiple languages across decades.
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Not only is Tagore known for her work in popular Bollywood films like Kashmir Ki Kali (her debut Hindi film), Amar Prem, An Evening In Paris, Aradhana, Daag, Mausam, Chupke Chupke and Safar, she has also worked in noted Bengali films like Devi, Nayak and Aranyer Din Ratri.
Appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in December 2005, Tagore also worked in the Malayalam film Chuvanna Chirakukal and Marathi film Samaantar, which was directed by Amol Palekar.
Tagore is known for her selection of powerful roles and films on thought-provoking subjects. In Amar Prem, she played the role of a courtesan who develops a special bond with a child in her neighbourhood, whereas in Aradhana, she essayed the role of a single mother. In Ray's Nayak, she starred as a young journalist who is immune to the charms of a superstar travelling with her on a train.
Tagore's thought process is not only reflected in her films but also in her opinions. Here are some of her quotes to prove just that.
Highlighting the need for autonomy: Being a man is a cause of celebration in Indian society and this could be one reason for the rising graph of sexual crimes, thinks Tagore. "Not allowing a woman to say NO is a gross violation of human rights. It requires sincere and dedicated sensitisation in creating and enabling environment where women are empowered to say NO,”
On letting women be what they want: According to the actor, "What is my truth can not be your truth. Some may want to be a homemaker and some want to follow other careers and they should be allowed. If we want to be different we should be different and we should be allowed to be different."
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On Freedom of women: Sharmila Tagore thinks that there should be no hindrance to what we want to do, what we want to wear, what we think and how we want to travel. "Do what you want to do as long as you are not breaking any law."
On her feminist upbringing: "I was brought up in a Bengali family. We were three girls and never made to feel any lesser than men."
On the need to raise daughters differently: "Parents should be told that if they invest in the education and upbringing of a girl child, she will also make contributions for the family and society," says Sharmila Tagore on how Indian parents should encourage girls for higher education.
On how the male gaze dominates cinema: Sharmila Tagore says, “Society is patriarchal, so film industry by definition is certainly patriarchal. The male gaze is dominated.”
On the urgent need for improved maternal care: “Isn’t it a matter of concern that a mother has to die after bearing the pain for so many months due to childbirth complications!” the actor feels.
Normalising women not feeling guilty: “I don’t feel any guilt, and I don’t think any woman should, for making her own choices,"
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Calling attention towards women taking their own decisions: “It should be your decision to get married, work, or have children.”
Equality in relationships: "To be a real man, I think you have to be supportive of each other and to be a real woman you have to be supportive of your man, and the man has to do the same thing, only then he would be a real man."
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