Sharmila Tagore uneasy with playing homosexual character in Gulmohar

Sharmila Tagore makes her acting comeback in Disney+ Hotstar's Gulmohar after a 13-year absence. The seasoned performer portrays a grandmother who tells her granddaughter in the family drama that she, too, had fallen in love with a woman when she was younger.

In the movie, Sharmila acknowledged that she was a little uneasy about playing a gay character, and she was pleasantly surprised by the audience's response to the big revelation. Gulmohar, which is directed by Rahul V. Chittella, also features Manoj Bajpayee, Simran, and Suraj Sharma.

In the movie, Sharmila portrays Kusum, the widowed head of the Batra family who has a number of secrets to keep from her kids and grandkids. Before the house is sold off, the Batras all assemble at the ancient family cottage for one final Holi.

The actor claimed that although Kusum is there for everyone, she wants to live for herself as the other members of the family pursue their own interests. She also discussed the subliminal plot of Kusum's youthful encounter with a woman.

As Sharmila discussed Gulmohar, she said, "There was some trepidation on my part, but the way it is handled in the script is very subtly and not overtly. And to be honest, I was astonished. Really, the audience has accepted it. They don't mind at all. Underlining, emphasizing, or making an overt statement about it are not used. It resembles a person's interior growth. It is therefore at that level."

She continued, "Whatever of the circumstances at the time, she made the decision. And that has sort of fuelled her growth. You can only understand the type of person she is if you watch the movie. Although being connected to everyone, she still puts herself first. Nothing is wrong with that. In the movie, she is 76 years old. She simply wants to be free now."

The veteran actress last appeared as Deepika Padukone's mother in the movie Break Ke Baad. The Danish Aslam romantic comedy featured Imran Khan as well. At the age of 13, she made her acting debut in Satyajit Ray's 1959 Bengali film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu).