Simi Garewal was a sensation in Hindi cinema in the late 1960s and 1970s. Born into an army family, Simi grew up in England, and her polished personality awed many. It was because of her amazing English-speaking skills that the actress got her first film offer in the English-language film, Tarzan Goes To India.
After entering the entertainment world, there was no looking back for Simi, who was popular for her stunning looks and mannerisms. Thereafter, she went on to star in some highly acclaimed films, such as Do Badan, Mera Naam Joker, Aranyer Din Ratri, Namak Haraam, Kabhi Kabhie among others. Just like her professional life, Simi Garewal’s personal life always garnered attention, especially her relationships with some of the most successful men.
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Out of the men she dated, her affair with former Indian cricket captain, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was a hot topic of discussion. It is reported that before meeting veteran actress, Sharmila Tagore, Mansoor was head-over-heels in love with Simi. The cricket and entertainment world knew about them as Simi would often attend his matches, and he would surprise her by visiting her shoots.
But everything changed when Mansoor met the Bengali beauty, Sharmila Tagore, as he couldn’t resist her charm. Soon, he started having an inclination towards Sharmila, but he didn’t ditch Simi. Like a true gentleman, Mansoor first broke up with Simi before dating Sharmila. As per a report in The Times Of India, Mansoor went to Simi’s apartment to tell her about Sharmila. Seeing Mansoor, Simi had offered him a lemonade, but before taking a sip of it, he said:
“I’m sorry but I want to make it clear it is over between us, I’ve met someone else.”
Simi had an intuition of what was coming, so she maintained her calm, didn’t make a scene, and accompanied Mansoor to the elevator. Mansoor had insisted on her not to come, but she went out with him and saw Sharmila waiting near the elevator. The two ladies kept looking at each other in silence. The report further claimed:
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“Being her poised and graceful self, Simi didn't make a scene out of it and instead chose to accompany him to the elevator when he stood up to leave.”
Years later, Simi Garewal turned host and invited Mansoor Ali Khan and his wife, Sharmila Tagore, to her talk show, Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. Though they did not discuss their past affair on her show, Simi wrote about her meeting with the Pataudis and mentioned how she and Mansoor were in a relationship. Her note could be read as:
“The Pataudis and I go back a long way. Mansoor and I dated each other when he was the India Captain. He was always easy going and would come to my shoots - much to the delight of the film unit! Sharmila Tagore and I were social friends and colleagues. And then of course they met -and you know the rest! I found Mansoor hadn't changed at all! He had grown into a wise, rational person. Very honest and still retaining the Sharmila Tagore charm.”
In 1970, Simi married Ravi Mohan. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived, and nine years later, they parted ways.
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