Gulmohar actress Sharmila Tagore reveals how Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi popped the question to her in Paris

Yesteryears’ actress Sharmila Tagore - who made her OTT debut with Rahul V Chittella’s new film Gulmohar, appearing alongside Amol Palekar and Manoj Bajpayee, among other actors - recently revealed how her late husband, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, popped the question to her in Paris years ago.

During her recent appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, the legendary actress shared intimate details about her relationship with Pataudi. Sharmila was accompanied by Manoj on the show, as she walked down memory lane, reminiscing about her initial days with the cricketer.

Known for her films like Apur Sansar (1959), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967) and Aradhana (1969) among others, Sharmila revealed that she has always been an ardent cricket fan and remembers standing in a queue, cheering for cricketers, during her time in Kolkata. She met Pataudi through a common friend. His English, the actress said, was difficult to understand because of a heavy British accent. Although it was not love at first sight, she admits taking an instant liking to his sense of humour. “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but I always felt that he would never hurt me. I felt I could trust him, and that is where the love blossomed between us,” Sharmila elaborated.

When Archana Puran Singh asked Sharmila about the proposal, the actress said that it happened during Bastille Day in Paris. She said, “When the whole city was on the streets, celebrating their independence day, he went down on one knee and popped the question: ‘Will you marry me?’.”

Other members of the cast Gulmohar - Suraj Sharma, Simran Bagga and Rahul Chittella - were also present at the show. The promo of the episode featured Manoj and Simran grooving to the song, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, as Kapil spoke about Sharmila’s dimples saying, “Sharmila ma’am is the first heroine whose dimple became so famous. Archana ma’am told me to ask you that. Do you charge separately for your dimples, along with acting?”

Gulmohar is a family drama that revolves around a matriarch and the repercussions that the family faces after her decision to sell their Delhi house and move to Pondicherry.