Sharmila Tagore was one of the leading actresses of her time. She began her career in 1959 with the film Apur Sansar. Over the next few years she appeared in various movies many of which became hits. During her career Sharmila met the famous cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. The duo fell in love and decided to take their relationship further by tying the knot. In 1968 Sharmila married Mansoor in an interfaith marriage a union that was rare at the time. After her wedding Sharmila also converted to Islam and adopted the name Ayesha. Recently a throwback interview of Tagore has been making the rounds on the internet where the veteran actress talks about her journey of converting to Islam. She said It wasn’t easy nor was it very difficult. It had to be faced and understood. You couldn’t be very flippant about it. Now I think I know more about Hinduism and Islam. In the same interview Sharmila also shared her experience of meeting her mother-in-law Nawab Begum Sajida Sultan of Bhopal. The first time I met Amma I was of course very nervous. She asked What do you think about my son? I said I like him. She then asked What do you intend to do? I replied I don’t know yet; I just met him. I am very fond of him and at this point you have known him for longer she recalled. Over time the bond between Sharmila and her mother-in-law grew stronger with a very healthy mutual respect. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore were married for 43 years until the legendary cricketer passed away in 2011. The couple was blessed with three children: Saif Ali Khan Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan.