made a rare and dazzling appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The actress attended the special 4K restored screening of Aranyer Din Ratri, a Satyajit Ray classic that starred Sharmila at the height of her career. Fittingly, the screening was introduced by celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson, a known admirer of Ray’s cinematic genius.While her red carpet moment captured headlines, a heartfelt interview to Rediff with Sharmila’s son, actor Saif Ali Khan, has resurfaced online, reminding fans of the personal and deeply graceful woman behind the camera. In the interview, Saif reflected on Sharmila’s humility, noting that she never pushed her children to watch her films. Yet, when he eventually watched Aranyer Din Ratri, it sparked a meaningful conversation between them about her dynamic with Soumitra Chatterjee, her co-star in Aranyer Din Ratri, Apur Sansar and Devi.

Further in the interview, he also referred to the veteran actress as someone who restored not just memories but spaces. Having married into the Pataudi royal family, Sharmila played a significant role in transforming their ancestral home into a stunning palace, all without putting herself in the spotlight.
According to Saif, the palace holds no prominent photographs of her, except for a single image of her receiving the National Award, discreetly placed in a corridor beneath a bookcase. Yet her presence is felt in every thoughtfully restored corner, from the lush gardens to the finely tailored blinds. Her sense of aesthetics, hospitality, and discipline shaped the very soul of the household.

Beyond her cinematic journey, Saif described his mother as a natural host and a quiet perfectionist—someone who trained her staff so well that neighbouring families would often poach them. It’s these anecdotes that deepen our understanding of Sharmila Tagore, not just as an actress of unmatched legacy, but as a woman of substance, style, and silent strength.

Nestled in the serene town of Pataudi in Haryana’s Gurugram district, the Pataudi Palace, also known as Ibrahim Kothi, is a sprawling 10-acre estate that showcases a graceful fusion of colonial, Mughal, and traditional Indian architecture. Once home to legendary cricketer and Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the palace now belongs to his son, actor Saif Ali Khan. Rich in heritage and elegance, the estate continues to host intimate family gatherings and events. With its grand halls and timeless charm, the palace stands as a symbol of regal legacy and is estimated to be valued at an astonishing Rs 800 crore.