Sharmila Tagore Says She Was Pregnant With Saif During ‘Aradhana’

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore recently reflected on her memorable on-screen partnership with the legendary Rajesh Khanna in an interview with Subhash K. Jha for the Free Press JournalThe duo, celebrated for their iconic performances, shared a unique camaraderie that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Collaboration on Aradhana

Sharmila spoke about their work together in Aradhana—the film that skyrocketed both of them to stardom. She also revealed a personal milestone during the shooting. “Kaka and I did many films together. We really worked well together. I was pregnant with Saif during Aradhana and with Soha when Kaka and I did Top Bahu,” she shared.

Challenges on Set

Rajesh Khanna was known for his late arrivals on set, and Sharmila reflected on this with humour, saying, “Kaka and I had two major problems. He came much too late on the sets and our best profile on camera was the same. So when we were in the same frame together, Kaka and I were always trying to get the cameraman to shoot our right profile.”

Iconic Pairing

Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna are remembered as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated on-screen pairs. Their landmark film Aradhana (1969) not only turned Rajesh Khanna into a superstar but also became famous for its evergreen songs like “Mere Sapno Ki Rani.” The duo went on to star in other hits, including Safar (1970), where they played a couple grappling with a tragic illness, and Daag (1973), a poignant story of love and sacrifice.

Career Highlights

Sharmila Tagore began her acting career at the age of 13 with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar (1959), where her portrayal of Aparna earned widespread acclaim. She later made her mark in Hindi cinema with her debut in Kali of Kashmir (1964).

Rajesh Khanna, widely regarded as Indian cinema’s first superstar, passed away on July 18, 2012, at the age of 69. Their enduring legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.

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