Sharmila Tagore: Kareena’s presence calms me, she’s like my daughter – Exclusive! – Times of India

Sharmila Tagore’s last role was in Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone’s 2010 romantic comedy, ‘Break Ke Baad’. It’s been 11 years and connoisseurs of cinema are definitely looking forward to seeing the senior actress make a comeback. Speaking about the prospect of returning to films, Sharmila says, “I might work but not till the third wave is over. I have given up a couple of films because I have some comorbidities and my doctors wouldn’t let me work. Though I got some very tempting offers, I said no to them. I also told them if you wait then I will do it early next year.”

She may have taken a long sabbatical, but she’s still got the pulse of showbiz. She remarks that OTT is the space that she’s most excited about. She reveals, “I want to work in the OTT space. You feel that flexibility; everybody our age is watching them at home and going to the theatre is only for the film buffs and the young people. Of course watching a film in a theatre has got a different feeling altogether and I am not rubbishing it at all.”

She’s been the chairperson of the CBFC between 2005 and 2011, and has also helmed production responsibilities on a 1977 film called ‘Tyaag’. Thanks to her experience she has a strong understanding of cinema and its dynamics. She adds, “Look at what has happened in Europe, all the oldies after a day’s hard work want to put their feet up and watch a film. You don’t really want to make that effort to go to the theatre. But the young people are all going to the theatres and films are being made for them and they are aiming at that age.”

Her wisdom and maturity has naturally found itself into her son Saif Ali Khan as well. Speaking about the way he’s progressed through his life and career, Sharmila says, “I saw ‘Yeh Dillagi’ and even his old interviews were so funny. He has become a mature person. He is the father of four kids and has become an excellent chef. He has developed good hobbies like reading. He is a good father and cooks well.” She does reveal that Covid lockdowns and the resultant changes have also affected the amount of time they can meet and spend together. She adds, “Hopefully, Covid will leave us soon.”

But the apple of Sharmila’s eye is none other than her daughter-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan. She can’t stop gushing about Bebo. She says, “I am so fond of her. What is so wonderful about her is that she is so calm. I have seen her interact with her staff, her hairdresser and designer. I would sometimes snap at my hairdresser if we were being summoned and I would say zara jaldi karo, but not Kareena.” What Sharmila also appreciates the most is Kareena’s composure and attitude. She says, “She is very patient and I love that about Kareena. Her presence calms me. She doesn’t compare herself with anybody. She does her own thing. I am very happy that she is my daughter-in-law. She says, ‘I am like your daughter’. I say, ‘Yes you are’.”