Sharmila shot for Aradhana and Aranyer Din Ratri together

Sharmila Tagore is known for a long list of memorable movies right from 'Daag', 'Aradhana', 'Amar Prem', 'Chupke Chupke' and many more. The actress has also done some critically acclaimed movies like the legendary Satyajit Ray's 'Aranyer Din Ratri' which just got screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 and got a standing ovation. Amidst the screening of the film, Tagore spoke about the experience of shooting it as she recalled old times. She revealed that when Ray asked her to be a part of it, she instantly said yes but only realised later that she had given her dates to Shakti Samanta for Rajesh Khanna starrer 'Aradhana'.She also revealed that during the same time, they were to shoot for the iconic song, 'Mere Sapno Ki Rani'. Sharmila said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, "He said, 'Will you work in my film? I need you for one month… in month of May’. Without thinking I said yes. Then when I put the phone down, I said, ‘Oh God, I am committed to Shakti Samanta because he was doing Meri Sapno Ki Rani that exact May.”Tagore further revealed how she managed to negotiate and shot for both the films.

She added, “Rajesh Khanna was very busy because he had won a talent contest and was indebted to 12 producers. So he had to give dates to everybody and they were all making a film. His dates were very precious. I said, ‘Shakti ji, I just have to do this film. Somehow I negotiated and managed to come to Satyajit Ray and then went back to the other film.

”Incidentally, Tagore made her acting debut with Ray's film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu), thus she obviously didn't want to say no the film-maker.

“I always treated him with a little bit of awe, respect, like you did to your father," said the actress.

Sharmila was last seen in the Bengali film 'Puratawn' and she had revealed that it may be her last Bengali film due to health reasons. As reported by PTI, she had said, "I love doing Bengali films. I love everything about Kolkata, but I am not as fit (for acting in shoots) as required due to my health conditions.”