Sharmila Tagore, having been in Anushka’s shoes, defends the actress after the World Cup backlash and recounts her days as a WAG
‘ No one’s distracting anyone’
Veteran actress and wife of late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore shares a lot in common with Anushka Sharma. From being the top actresses of their time to dating a cricketer ( and later marrying in case of Sharmila) and living under public scrutiny, the two have shared similar experiences. She spoke out in support of Anushka Sharma after the undue flak the latter received following the Indian cricket team’s defeat during the World Cup semi- finals against Australia.
But Tagore admits that her times were different. Says Sharmila, “I can’t say my circumstances were exactly the same, because in those days wives and girlfriends ( WAGs) were not allowed to accompany cricketers to the matches. But I did go to England to watch him. I couldn’t go to Australia though. It’s really up to the individual what he or she wants to do. No one is distracting anyone by being there for a loved one. Look at the crowds! They are so distracting. But once a player is out there, his concentration is absolute.”
Sharmila remembers being held responsible for Pataudi’s non- performance on the field too. “On one or two occasions, it was believed that I was somehow responsible for his poor performance. It is believed that if you are an actor or a cricketer from a privileged background, then you’re spoilt and an attention seeker. So it was believed that I’d say things like, ‘ Oh if you’re playing tomorrow let’s go out today’. As if it was all about me and not the game!”
Thankfully then, there was no pressure from the social media. Sharmila says, “There was no social media, no Twitter to condemn you. I think I had to face less hostility. Now you have people threatening to stone one’s home. That’s very wrong. There is a flip side to every fan. They love you and they hate you. I am not choosing the fans. They are choosing me. One day they say good things about you. The next day they start picking on you for the very things they loved you for. But in the long run, it all evens out. Once you enter retirement they only remember good things about you.”
Sharmila gives full credit to cricketers for keeping their cool under pressure. “These are not amateurs we’re talking about. They know how to conduct themselves. One individual can’t take on the mob. So one has to just stay calm and wait for the storm to pass. It’s not an Indian phenomenon. It happens everywhere.” Of all the people making a noise about the distractions, the dimpled diva wonders how many out there really follow the game. “Only about two per cent of the crowd really follows cricket. The rest are there for the excitement. They don’t understand the pressures that cricketers have to face. It’s all very well to sit and criticise the cricketers. At least in our profession we get a retake, but the cricketers have only one chance. But I’ve to tell you, we actors also shoot under a lot of pressure. As a professional cricketer you have to be very strong from the inside.” Recalling her association with cricket Sharmila says, “My affinity to the game didn’t start with Pataudi. My parents in Kolkata were very keen on cricket. They wouldn’t miss even a single match. Because of them I got interested in cricket. Was cricket a common factor between me and Pataudi? I don’t think so. But he liked the fact that I loved the game. Because I wouldn’t get bored with the game.” Coming back to the flak being faced by Anushka Sharmila says, “Anyone in the public eye has to face bricks and roses. It’s up to the individual to decide whether a loved one’s presence distracts or comforts him.”