[4] Born into the prominent Tagore family, one of the leading families of Calcutta and a key influence during the Bengali Renaissance, Tagore made her acting debut at age 14 with Satyajit Ray's acclaimed Bengali epic drama The World of Apu (1959).

She went on to collaborate with Ray on numerous other films, including Devi (1960), Nayak (1966), Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), and Seemabaddha (1971); thus establishing herself as one of the most prominent figures in Bengali cinema.

Tagore's career further expanded when she ventured into Hindi films with Shakti Samanta's romance Kashmir Ki Kali (1964).

[5] Apart from acting, Tagore has also served as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification from October 2004 to March 2011.

[15] Tagore attended St. John's Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School and Loreto Convent, Asansol.

Within a short while, her attendance and performance at school suffered, she came to be regarded as a bad influence on her classmates, and was faced with a choice of either doing films or studying further.

[17] At that point, her father advised her to move ahead in life, commit herself to a film career and 'give it her all' in order to become successful.

[17] Tagore began her career as an actress in Satyajit Ray's Bengali epic drama Apur Sansar (1959), as an ill-fated bride.

[20] Tagore made her Hindi film debut with Shakti Samanta's musical romance Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) alongside Shammi Kapoor.

[41][42] During this period, Tagore also worked with Uttam Kumar in several films, including Nayak, and the bilingual dramas Amanush (1975), Anand Ashram (1977) and Dooriyaan (1979).

Tagore played pivotal roles in the Bengali action film Protidan (1983) opposite Naseeruddin Shah, and Mira Nair's interracial romantic drama Mississippi Masala (1991).

[50][51] Tagore starred alongside her son Saif Ali Khan in his debut film Aashik Awara (1993) and the action drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007), receiving critical praise for the latter.

[4] In 2010, she played a supporting role in the romantic comedy-drama Break Ke Baad,[55] which earned her critical acclaim, for which DNA India noting that, "Tagore pitches in with a strong performance.

[57] The film earned her critical acclaim, with the Hindustan Times noting that, "The elegance and poise Tagore exudes are remarkable.

[60] In 2024, Tagore returned to Marathi films with Outhouse alongside Mohan Agashe, where she played a loving grandmother.

[61] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted, "Tagore brings warmth, wisdom, and a spark of curiosity to Aadima, portraying her as a nuanced blend of strength and vulnerability.

"[62] Tagore is also set to make her comeback to Bengali films after 14 years with Suman Ghosh's Puratawn.

[75] Tagore was placed 2nd in Rediff.com's "Best Bollywood Debut Ever" list, for her films Apur Sansar and Kashmir Ki Kali.

[77] Beehive hairdo and winged eyeliner were some of the style statements of Tagore that are still relevant in the fashion world and brought her the title of "The queen of dramatic eye make-up".

"[82] Tagore was also inducted into the Bollywood Walk of Fame at Bandra Bandstand, Mumbai, where her hand print was preserved.

Tagore portrayed challenging roles such as that of — a journalist in Nayak, a club dancer in An Evening in Paris,a widow in Aradhana,a surgeon in Safar, a woman disowned by her husband in Amar Prem, a teacher and victim of abuse in Daag and a prostitute in Mausam.

"[85] Hemachhaya De of Femina noted, "Sharmila Tagore successfully straddled diverse film genres: arthouse, crossover and mainstream.