Popularity of Uttam Kumar in Bengali cinema remains unmatched even today: Sharmila Tagore

Last Friday (January 26th) at 4 PM, the Samsung H Lounge at Dhaka Club was filled with journalists and filmmakers. The anticipation grew for the arrival of the renowned actress Sharmila Tagore from the subcontinent. Breaking the shackles of that anticipation, she arrived with a radiant smile precisely at the appointed time. She adorned herself in a black kurta with a muffler, complemented by elegant black boots. With skillful exchanges and the culmination of the formalities, she took the stage. In response to questions posed by the media, she has not only shared insights about her life but has also spoken on various topics, including her personal experiences with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, memorable moments in acting with Uttam Kumar and Soumitra Chatterjee, her experiences during travels to Dhaka, and diverse subjects like watching Bangladeshi cinema. These conversations have brought forth a myriad of reflections and experiences. The lively session titled 'Press Meet with Sharmila Tagore' was conducted by the renowned actor and cultural personality Asaduzzaman Noor.

Regarding her involvement in cinema, Sharmila mentioned, "At the age of just 13, Satyajit Ray proposed acting to me for the film 'Apur Sansar'. At that time, my family was not enthusiastic about my acting in movies." Until the end, Manikda (Satyajit Ray) had convinced my family about my acting in the film 'Apur Sansar'. If he hadn't done that, perhaps I wouldn't have entered the world of cinema. At that time, I might have pursued my studies at Shantiniketan and then engaged in some other profession. Being praised for my performance in the first film, I didn't have to struggle much afterward. It has served as a blessing in my acting career."

Regarding her experience with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sharmila Thakur said, "In the midst of a busy schedule, she has met us. In a crucial meeting, she took the time to interact, opened her heart, and discussed things openly. With enthusiasm, she took photos with me. The next day, she even sent me those pictures." Even before that, I had come here to recite poetry at an event with Pranab Mukherjee, and he also remembered and reminded me of that occasion. All in all, she (Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) feels like a very down-to-earth person. Due to her simple demeanor and behavior, people regard her as an ordinary person rather than just the Prime Minister. For these reasons, she feels like a familiar person to me. I have spent beautiful moments with her. Amidst various conversations, she has also expressed interest in the film festival. I am fascinated by her demeanor."

Regarding her acting and personal relationships with Uttam Kumar and Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore said, "My career began with Satyajit Ray's 'Apur Sansar,' and that marked the beginning of my career and personal relationship with Soumitra. My relationship with him was friendly, very simple. For this reason, I still miss him. On the other hand, my relationship with Uttam Kumar was formal. I respected him from the beginning, and I still do, as no one has surpassed his popularity in Bengali cinema."

On the subject of criticism, she stated, "Criticism has never affected me. When there was a lot of writing and criticism about me, it used to bother me a lot. At that time, I thought, why am I reading this? I stopped taking those magazines. It didn't bother me mentally. Criticism will always be there." When Sara started her film, if anyone said anything about her, she would burst into tears. I told her, 'Don't pay attention to what people are saying. If it's something good, you can learn from it. If it is not, then ignore it,' she said.

Speaking about Bangladeshi cinema, Sharmila Tagore mentioned, "I had the opportunity to watch 15 films as a jury member at the Dhaka International Film Festival. I particularly liked the film 'Fereshte' starring Jaya Ahsan. I enjoyed Jaya Ahsan's performance in the movie. Her acting skills have impressed me."

In response to a question about her experience during her visit to Dhaka, Sharmila said, "I have been treated wonderfully here. I have enjoyed delicious food. Whatever I desired has been promptly arranged. As a result, I feel like a VIP. On the other hand, there is a lot of traffic congestion in this city, and despite the desire to visit various places, I haven't been able to explore everywhere. However, due to my fondness for poetry, I have taken the time to collect some poetry books. I have also received a collection of poems as a gift," she added.

Speaking about her life partner Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore said, "I never feel the emptiness of not having the Nawab around. Because I don't consider him absent. Even though he is not physically present, he is always with me mentally. I have decided to write a biography encompassing various aspects of our family, including our acquaintance, love story, and more," she mentioned.