Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan was born on 16 August 1970 in New Delhi to actress Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi. He is the eldest of three children; his siblings are Saba and Soha Ali Khan. His paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, was also a cricketer and the Nawab of Bhopal. Saif attended The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and later studied at Lockers Park School and Winchester College in England. He briefly attended St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, before pursuing acting.¹

Saif made his acting debut in 1993 with the film Parampara, but his first notable success came with the 1994 romance Yeh Dillagi. He gained recognition with Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and Kachche Dhaage (1999). However, his career saw a turning point with the 2001 film Dil Chahta Hai, directed by Farhan Akhtar, which earned him critical acclaim and a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He followed with hits like Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Hum Tum (2004), the latter winning him the National Film Award for Best Actor.²

Saif continued to deliver successful films, including Salaam Namaste (2005), Omkara (2006), Race (2008), and Love Aaj Kal (2009). He also produced films under his banner Illuminati Films, starting with Love Aaj Kal and later Agent Vinod (2012) and Cocktail (2012). In 2018, he starred in the Netflix series Sacred Games, which brought him international recognition. He has also appeared in the Hollywood film A Long Way Down (2014).³

Saif married actress Amrita Singh in 1991; they divorced in 2004 and have two children, Sara and Ibrahim. In 2012, he married actress Kareena Kapoor, with whom he has two sons, Taimur and Jeh. Saif is known for his aristocratic lineage and has often been referred to as the 'Nawab of Pataudi' in the media. He has been open about his struggles with substance abuse in his early career and has since become a fitness enthusiast.

Beyond his mainstream work, Saif has appeared in several lesser-known films that showcase his range, such as Ek Hasina Thi (2004) and Being Cyrus (2005). He is also a trained guitarist and has performed with his band. Saif is an avid reader and has a keen interest in history, particularly the history of his own family and the Pataudi dynasty. He has also been involved in philanthropic activities, supporting causes like child education and animal welfare. In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for his contribution to cinema.⁴

Nawab

A title for a Muslim ruler or nobleman in South Asia, often used for the Pataudi family.

Filmfare Awards

Annual awards presented by The Times Group to honor excellence in Hindi cinema.

National Film Award

The most prestigious film award in India, presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals.