Meet The 70s’ Actress Who Created Controversy With Bold Scenes & Was Rumored To Be Dating Ratan Tata

In the golden age of the Indian cinema industry in the 1970s, radical transformations were taking place. The period, that changed the aesthetic of Indian film, was referred to as the Masala Age of Bollywood. The extravagant action scenes, memorable tunes, and larger-than-life personalities distinguished this era’s cinematic output.

While many actors and actresses are unable to cope with this dramatic change, one actress stood out for her daring choices and unconventional approach to her career. Without a doubt, she is Simi Garewal!

Her daring performances cemented her reputation as an actress who pushed the limits of cinema at the time. In contrast to more contemporary Bollywood actresses like Sunny Leone, who has welcomed on-screen bareness as a part of their careers, Garewal’s choices to take on such bold roles during her time were revolutionary and generated a lot of controversies.

Nevertheless, Garewal’s unquestionable skill and commanding presence led her to work with some of the biggest performers, like Rishi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor. From “Mera Naam Joker” to “Siddhartha,” her works have completely changed the erotic cinema.

However, what Simi Garewal is currently doing will leave you in amazement. It’s because she is presently doing something very much different from her past. Later, she became one of the most well-liked hosts of a legendary chat show on television.

I know its hard to digest, but that’s the reality. That’s how she revived her celebrity status in the industry.

Simi Garewal’s background

Born in Ludhiana to an Indian Army officer, Simi Garewal spent her early years in London. Because of this, she is fluent in English which later helped her in her acting career. She returned to India as a teenager. This is when her love for the glamorous world really started to blossom.

At the age of 15, Garewal was determined to pursue a career in the film industry. She even went on a hunger strike as a severe measure to persuade her parents to support her goals. This bold move marked the beginning of her journey into the world of cinema.

 

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How did her acting career start?

Due to her English proficiency, she appeared with Feroz Khan in the 1962 English-language film “Tarzan Goes to India.” This is how she had her spectacular Bollywood debut. In addition to winning hearts, her performance brought numerous film offers. Later on, she starred in a number of well-known Indian movies, like “Do Badan,” “Aadmi,” “Saathi,” “Ek Raat,” and others.

Simi costarred with Raj Kapoor in the 1970 film “Mera Naam Joker.” However, due to her bold scene, the movie embroiled in controversy. After carrying out the changes mandated by the Indian Censor Board, the film was finally allowed to be seen in theaters.

Simi not only did this but also stripped down for the Indo-American drama “Siddhartha.” Her bold scene with Shashi Kapoor also caused further controversy and led to a legal dispute. In the end, India banned the movie.

How did Simi Garewal turn towards hosting?

After doing so many movies in Bollywood, she began focusing on writing and direction in the early 1980s. Siga Arts International, her own production firm, was founded by her. Later, she hosted, produced, and directed the Doordarshan TV series “It’s a Woman’s World.”

However, her destiny had some different plans for her. She finally revived her long-lost fame after leading “Rendezvous with Simi Garewal,” one of India’s most recognizable chat shows on television. As a face of the show, as a host of the show, Simi has finally got back what she earned in her stage of career.

Simi Garewal’s love life

At the age of 17, Garewal entered into her first committed relationship with Shatrusalyasinhji, the Maharaja of Jamnagar and her neighbor in England. Later on, Garewal dated the Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. However, they broke up after he started liking Sharmila Tagore.

There were also rumors that the actress and billionaire Ratan Tata were romantically involved. Regarding Ratan Tata, the actress stated in an interview that they have a long history together and that Tata is the epitome of perfection and a perfect gentleman.

After many failed relationships, she married Ravi Mohan, a Delhi-born nobleman from the Chunnamal dynasty, in 1970. However, things didn’t well between them, and they got divorced in 1979.

What is Simi Garewal currently doing in life?

Following her divorce, the actress never remarried. She currently has a YouTube page where all of her shows and documentaries are published. She also has her own website where she interacts with her followers.