Sharmila Tagore opens up on the bikini photoshoot, reveals how controversy hit her '60s stardom'

Sharmila Tagore and her son, Saif Ali Khan, recently graced the set of Koffee With Karan, marking Sharmila's first-ever joint interview. The charming duo delved into a myriad of topics, providing viewers with insights into their family dynamics, Saif's childhood, and even revisiting the iconic bikini photoshoot that caused a stir in the 60s.

The veteran actor, known for her timeless beauty, reminisced about a photoshoot she did for Filmfare in 1966. The magazine featured Sharmila posing in a pink swimsuit and a black polka-dotted bikini, capturing the attention of many. When quizzed by Karan Johar about the apprehension evident in the photographer during the shoot, Sharmila acknowledged the concerns.

She revealed that she believed the photos would be well-received, thinking they looked nice and would be accepted by the public.

 However, the outcome was quite the opposite. Sharmila expressed her disappointment with the narrative that emerged, stating, "What hurt me was everybody trying to put it in a way that I was up early mobile, I was doing it to catch eyeballs. I didn't feel like that. I just did it and thought it would look very nice."

As the photos made headlines, chaos ensued, and Sharmila received calls questioning her decision. Even director Shakti Samantha, a frequent collaborator, advised against it. Recounting the aftermath, Sharmila shared that she was in London when the concerned call came from Samantha.

Saif, who was at a boarding school during that time, humorously recalled how his peers questioned if she was truly his mother. "People in the boarding school used to ask me 'Is that your mom?'" he chuckled.

Throughout the Koffee With Karan episode, Sharmila exuded the same grace and poise that has endeared her to fans over the years.