The chatter in the Bengali film industry is that the Bengal Tigress has roared again. When we mention this to Sharmila Tagore, she laughs, before saying, “The media sometimes called me ‘La Tagore’, and at other times, Bengal Tigress. Since I was married to Tiger Pataudi, the [latter] came easily to them.”

One can understand the Bengali film industry and the audience’s exhilaration to see Tagore returning to Tollywood after 16 years. And with a brilliant film like Puratawn at that. Suman Ghosh’s directorial venture, also starring Rituparna Sengupta, explores a mother-daughter relationship as Tagore’s character slowly loses her grip on reality and shows first signs of memory loss. It is being hailed as among the senior actor’s best performances.

“We were aiming for critical acclaim, and never thought that theatres would run house-full over weeks. It was surprising to know that it’s a success. When we make a film, we never think if it will be a success or not. We thought Puratawn is different from the usual movies as it doesn’t have the ingredients for a hit film.”

Since debuting with Apur Sansar (1959) over six decades ago, Tagore has prominently featured in Bengali films, cutting down on them only in the aughts. Did it take her a while to go back to speaking Bengali in front of the camera?

“I’ve never lost touch with Bengali. I was so happy to speak entirely in my language after so many years in a movie,” she smiles.

In the past two years, it has been a pleasure to see the veteran actor back in the thick of things. With Gulmohar (2023), she returned to Hindi cinema after a 13-year hiatus, and followed it up with The Outhouse last year. It’s evident that she is enjoying cherry-picking her roles at this stage.

“I’ve done all kinds of roles, including frivolous ones in the past. At this stage, I want to do roles that are real, like in Gulmohar and Puratawn. I’d love to play a comic role someday. If there is a role that speaks to me, has depth and makes me feel I can do it, I’ll say yes.”

Recently, she expressed that Puratawn may be her final Bengali movie. Is she bowing out of Bengali cinema?

She reflects, “If the role is worth it, I may do it. [But] physically one gets exhausted on sets. In Puratawn, we had to climb three storeys as there were no lifts in the building; that was tiring. Ritu’s production house and Suman’s presence made it easier.”

This Bengali New Year is extra special for Sharmila Tagore, as the veteran actress’ first Bengali film in about 14 years, Puratawn, has just released. Speaking to us at the Kolkata premiere of the film, the veteran actress tells us about her interpretation of Poila Boishakh. “Poila Boishakh isn’t about grandeur for us – it’s about the connection, the small joys, and traditions we’ve built over time,” she says.

In a chat with us, Tagore speaks about how the family celebrates different festivals “in their own ways”, returning to Bengali cinemas after a long time and why the recent film might just be her last.

“We celebrate every festival in our own personal way — that’s what makes them meaningful. Saif celebrates Eid, Kareena celebrates Diwali, and yes, Ganpati too. And wearing new clothes during Durga Puja? That’s still a must in our family,” she shares. Food, unsurprisingly, remains at the centre of it all. 

“Goja banano hotoh barite mone ache amar (I remember we used to make deep-fried treats at home),” she recalls fondly. “My mother would prepare an elaborate anno bhog to offer to the almighty. Sweets were always part of the celebration, and they still are.”

It’s been nearly 14 years since Tagore last faced the camera for a Bengali film – but with the recently released Puratawn, she’s back in a language that remains closest to her heart. “I never really left cinema,” she says. “Even when I wasn’t doing films, I was still engaged – lecturing, working with NGOs, always involved with people. But Bengali cinema... it’s something else. To return after 14 years, and to do so with a film like this – that’s special.”

Puratawn, starring Tagore and Rituparna Sengupta, is a film about “a mother and a daughter – about ageing, memory, and how families navigate change.” Talking about the film, the actress says, “Ritu, who plays my daughter, is trying to fix everything — but the film shows that not everything in life can be fixed.”

The emotional layers of the film resonated with Tagore. “Many parents live alone today — their children are abroad or settled in different cities. Joint families are rare. Loneliness is real, and the film reflects that beautifully.”

Recently, Satyajit Ray’s critically acclaimed film Nayak (1966), starring Tagore and Uttam Kumar was re-released on the big screen across India, drawing first-timers from a younger generation and older audiences alike.

“Watching Nayak on the big screen after 60 years was a fabulous experience (smiles),” says the actress whose turn as a feisty but compassionate journalist in the film commands a fan following of its own till this day. “I’ve seen the film many times before, but only on a small screen. Getting the chance to watch it in a theatre is rare – you usually have to go to a film festival or wait for a special re-release.”

Tagore went not once, but twice – both times with close friends. “Uttam babu was absolutely fantastic, and Sumita Sanyal was so good, even in her short role. And I’ll be honest – I even enjoyed watching myself on screen,” she shares.

For the actress, the re-release was more than nostalgia – it was a reminder of how classic cinema continues to resonate. “I really hope more films like this are brought back. The impact, the enjoyment – it’s all so much greater when you see a film in a theatre. There’s something magical about it.”

In his exclusive interview with us, Saif Ali Khan spoke of a lullaby his mother sang to him in the hospital when he was recovering post the attack on him. “That hasn’t happened since I was a baby,” he had said. Tagore smiles when reminded of it. “I used to sing Khoka ghumolo para juralo... — isn’t that the perfect song to put a little boy to sleep? It’s apt, I feel,” she smiles.

The recently released Bengali film Puratwan may be the veteran actress’ last film. “I don’t think I’ll be doing any more films,” she says quietly. “Lately, I haven’t been keeping too well. During the shoot, I had to climb stairs, and while I managed, it made me anxious — will I be able to do everything that’s expected on a set? You need to be physically fit to shoot a film, and I’m not sure my health will permit that anymore.”

When Sharmila Tagore ended her self-imposed acting hiatus earlier this year with Gulmohar, she hoped to find more of such wonderful films going forward. Her wish has been granted. The veteran actor is returning to Bengali cinema after 14 years with Suman Ghosh’s Puratawn. What about the film made her say yes, considering she is known to be choosy? For starters, the National Award-winning director. 

“I loved the trailer of Suman’s next, Kabuliwala. I like his eye for detail, sensitivity and aesthetics. I think he will make Puratawn very well. We have done a look test and a few script readings,” says the actor, who will kick off the shoot in Kolkata today.

Puratawn delves into the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, with Rituparna Sengupta playing Tagore’s daughter. The trio is completed by Indraneil Sengupta. Tagore quickly corrects us, saying that the house is as good as the fourth character in the story.

“The daughter is a practical corporate executive, whereas the son-in-law is more empathetic and sensitive. I liked the slight role reversal,” she says of the Rituparna production.

The last time she faced the camera for a Bengali film was in 2009 for Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Antaheen. Considering she divides her time between Pataudi and Mumbai, has she become rusty in her mother tongue?

“My grounding in Bengali has been solid. I grew up in a joint family with everyone speaking the same language. I attended a Bengali language school till the age of 13. I may need to brush up on it for Puratawn, but I read and write Bengali, and count in Bengali in my head,” she smiles.

The language is secondary, it’s always the story that draws her in. From playing the warm aunt in Antaheen to becoming the spirited matriarch in Gulmohar, Tagore’s parts have been varied. “I try to do roles that are different and challenging. Many people asked me why I did Antaheen. But I liked my character, and the film had an interesting concept of people developing [meaningful] relationships on the internet.”

Beginning her journey with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar (1959), she built a rich filmography in Bengali cinema over the decades. As she returns to her roots, it’s worth wondering whether her actor-son Saif Ali Khan would ever dabble in Bengali cinema. “I would like him to do a Bengali film, but it all depends on his mood and inclination. He is doing a Telugu film, so I am sure he can do a Bengali one too. [The late] Rituparno Ghosh wanted Saif to play Chaitanyo Mahaprabhu a long time ago, but it didn’t materialize.”