Saif Ali Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saif Ali Khan
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Khan in 2020
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Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi
16 August 1970 New Delhi, India
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Works
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Full list |
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| Children | 4; including Sara Ali Khan |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2010) |
Saif Ali Khan (born Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi; 16 August 1970) is a famous Indian actor and film producer. He mostly works in Hindi films. He is the head of the Pataudi family since 2011. His mother is actress Sharmila Tagore and his father was cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
Saif Ali Khan has won many awards for his acting. These include a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards. In 2010, he received the Padma Shri. This is the fourth highest civilian award in India.
Khan started acting in Parampara (1993). He became successful in films with many stars like Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994). He also starred in Kachche Dhaage (1999) and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999). In the 2000s, he earned praise for his roles. These included romantic comedies like Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). He also found success as a main actor in romances such as Hum Tum (2004) and Parineeta (2005).
He also received good reviews for playing different kinds of characters. These included a clever businessman in Ek Hasina Thi (2004). He also played a character in the English film Being Cyrus (2006). His role in Omkara (2006) was also highly praised. He had more success in action thrillers like Race (2008) and Race 2 (2013). Romantic comedies like Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Cocktail (2012) were also big hits.
Saif Ali Khan was also praised for his role in Netflix's first Indian series, Sacred Games (2018–2019). His highest-earning films are the action movies Tanhaji (2020) and Devara: Part 1 (2024). Besides acting, Khan often hosts TV shows and performs on stage. He also owns two film production companies.
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Early Life and Family
Saif Ali Khan was born on 16 August 1970 in New Delhi, India. His father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was a former captain of the Indian national cricket team. His mother, Sharmila Tagore, is a famous film actress.
Saif's father was the son of the last ruler of Pataudi. After his father passed away in 2011, Saif was symbolically named the "tenth Nawab of Pataudi". He attended a special ceremony to respect the wishes of the villagers.
Saif has two younger sisters: Saba Ali Khan, a jewelry designer, and actress Soha Ali Khan. His paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, also played cricket for India. His great-grandfather was the last ruler of Bhopal.
Saif remembers watching his father play cricket as a child. He says his father's education influenced their family life. He studied at The Lawrence School, Sanawar in India. Later, he went to Lockers Park School and Winchester College in England. He admitted he didn't study as hard as he could have.
After school, Saif worked for an advertising company in Delhi. He then appeared in a TV commercial. This led him to move to Mumbai to start his acting career. He felt excited to begin his own adventure in films.
Becoming an Actor
First Steps in Films
In 1991, Saif Ali Khan was chosen for the lead role in Bekhudi (1992). However, he was replaced because the director felt he was unprofessional. While filming, he met actress Amrita Singh. They married in October 1991. They had a daughter, Sara Ali Khan (born 1995), and a son (born 2001). The couple later separated in 2004.
Saif made his official acting debut in 1993 with Parampara. This film was about two brothers but did not do well. In the same year, he appeared in Aashiq Awara and Pehchaan, which also struggled at the box office. However, for Aashiq Awara, Saif won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.
Finding Success
After a moderately successful film called Imtihaan (1994), Saif teamed up with Akshay Kumar. They starred in the hit romantic comedy-drama Yeh Dillagi. They also appeared in the action film Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Yeh Dillagi was about a love triangle. Main Khiladi Tu Anari was a big hit, becoming one of the highest-earning films of the year.
These films were a big turning point for Saif. His performance in Main Khiladi Tu Anari earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Critics praised his comedic timing in the film. However, his next few films in the 1990s were not successful. Many thought his career might be over.
In 1999, Saif's career started to improve. He appeared in Kachche Dhaage, an action-thriller. This film was his first commercial success in a while. He also starred in Hum Saath-Saath Hain, a family drama. This film had a large cast and became the highest-earning film of the year. During the filming of Hum Saath-Saath Hain, Saif and some co-stars faced charges related to a wildlife incident.
In 2000, Saif's only release was Kya Kehna. He played a charming character in this film. The movie dealt with important themes and became a surprise hit. Critics noted his performance as a "rogue" character.
Rise to Prominence
In 2001, Saif starred in Dil Chahta Hai. This film was about three young friends and their lives in modern Mumbai. Saif played Sameer, a "hopeless romantic". This film was very popular with critics and won a National Film Award. It was a major turning point in Saif's career. He won several awards for his performance, including the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. Critics called his performance "excellent" and his "career-best".
After a couple of less successful films, Saif starred in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). This romantic comedy-drama was set in New York City. It also starred Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Preity Zinta. The film was a huge success, becoming India's biggest hit of the year. It also did very well internationally. Saif played Rohit Patel, a carefree young man. Critics praised his natural and endearing performance. He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.
To try different types of roles, Saif starred in the thriller Ek Hasina Thi (2004). He played a character he described as a mix of "Charles Sobhraj and James Bond". The film was well-received, and critics praised Saif's acting. They noted he successfully broke away from his "cool dude" image.
His next film was Hum Tum (2004), a romantic comedy. Saif played Karan Kapoor, a headstrong individual. The film was a big commercial success. It was Saif's first hit where he was the only male lead. Critics said he showed he was an actor whose time had come. He won another Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He also won the National Film Award for Best Actor for this film. This marked the start of his work with Yash Raj Films, a major Bollywood production house. In 2004, Saif started dating model Rosa Catalano, but they separated three years later.
New Roles and Production
By 2005, Saif Ali Khan had become a leading actor in Hindi cinema. He starred in the romantic drama Parineeta. He played Shekhar, a musician. Critics praised his acting, noting his growth beyond light comedy. He also starred in the comedy-drama Salaam Namaste. This was the first Indian film shot entirely in Australia. It became the highest-earning Bollywood film outside India that year.
In 2006, he played the main character in the English art film Being Cyrus. This psychological drama received positive reviews. Later that year, he played the character of Iago in Omkara. This film was an Indian version of William Shakespeare's Othello. It premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Critics loved Omkara, and Saif received many awards for his role. His performance was called a "powerhouse performance".
By 2007, Saif wanted to produce films himself. He created Illuminati Films with producer Dinesh Vijan. He wanted to make different kinds of movies. He then reunited with producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra in the drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007). This film was chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars. Critics praised Saif's growth as an actor in this film. He also starred in the family drama Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), which did well at the box office.
Saif had more success in 2008 with the thriller Race. This film had a large cast and became a huge box office hit. Critics found Saif to be a standout in the film. However, his next three films were not successful.
In 2009, Saif starred in his company's first film, Love Aaj Kal. This romantic comedy-drama explored how relationships change over time. He played two roles in the film. Critics gave Love Aaj Kal very positive reviews. It became one of the highest-earning films of the year. Saif's performance was described as "refreshing natural" and "outstanding". He received another nomination for Best Actor. He then starred in the thriller Kurbaan. He played a terrorist in this film. Critics praised his easy change from a charming lover to a heartless man.
Recent Films and Projects
In 2011, Saif appeared in the drama Aarakshan. This film dealt with the topic of caste-based reservations in India. Saif played a rebellious student. He took acting workshops to prepare for the role. The film received mixed reviews, but his performance was well-received. The next year, Saif produced two of his own films. He starred in the action thriller Agent Vinod. He called it his "most ambitious project". However, the film did not do well at the box office.
His next film was Cocktail, a romantic comedy-drama. He played Gautam Kapoor, a software engineer. The film was set in London. It explored his character's relationships with two different women. Critics had mixed opinions, but the film was a financial success. On 16 October 2012, Saif married actress Kareena Kapoor. They had been together for five years. They have two sons, born in 2016 and 2021.
In 2013, Saif worked with Deepika Padukone again in Race 2. This action thriller was a sequel to Race (2008). The film received mostly negative reviews. However, it was a commercial success. He then played Boris, a "Russian mafia don", in Go Goa Gone. This film was called "India's first zom-com" (zombie comedy). Saif was drawn to the film because of its new idea. Critics praised the film and Saif's performance. His last film of the year was Bullett Raja, a crime drama. Saif found it challenging to play a common man who becomes a gangster. However, the film did not do well.
Saif later said he regretted starring in the 2014 comedy Humshakals. He played three different characters in the film. Critics called it a "dim-witted comedy". He also produced and starred in Happy Ending (2014), a romantic comedy. Both films did not perform well at the box office.
In 2015, he appeared in the counter-terrorism drama Phantom. He played a former soldier hired by the RAW agency. The film was based on a book about the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film faced some controversy and was banned in Pakistan. Critics found Saif to be "well cast" and "believable" in his role. Despite his satisfaction, the film was seen as a box-office failure.
After a break, Saif looked for different roles. He starred in Rangoon (2017), a romance set during World War II. He drew inspiration from his grandfather for his character. Critics praised Saif for his performance. He then starred in the comedy-drama Chef (2017). This was an official adaptation of a 2014 film. Saif related to the film's modern take on relationships. He trained at a hotel to prepare for his role. The film received positive reviews. Many said it was Saif's best performance yet. However, both Rangoon and Chef did not earn much at the box office.
In 2018, Saif appeared in the Netflix original series Sacred Games. He played Inspector Sartaj Singh. He liked being part of a creative project without the usual pressures of films. The show received high praise. Critics called it a "sure-shot winner" and praised Saif's "stellar performance". In his next film, Baazaar, he played a businessman. He enjoyed playing the antagonist. Critics commended his blend of wickedness and willfulness. However, Baazaar was also a box-office failure.
Saif started 2020 with a starring role in Tanhaji, a historical drama. He played a Rajput fort keeper. He was attracted to the idea of a "larger-than-life" film. He found it challenging to overplay his character. Tanhaji was praised by critics and became a huge commercial success. Critics called Saif's performance the film's best part. They said he played the "exaggerated evil with a cheeky panache." Tanhaji earned Saif his second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. His next film was Jawaani Jaaneman, a comedy-drama. He played a bachelor who discovers he has a daughter. The film received generally positive reviews.
In 2021, Saif appeared in the Amazon Prime Video series Tandav. He played a politician. The show faced some protests, and some scenes were changed. He then starred in the comedy Bunty Aur Babli 2 and the horror comedy Bhoot Police. In 2022, he worked with Hrithik Roshan in the action film Vikram Vedha. Critics said he played the tough cop with conviction.
In 2023, Saif played the villain Lankesh in the mythological film Adipurush. This film was inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana. It was filmed in Hindi and Telugu. It was one of the most expensive Indian films. However, it received negative reactions and did not do well at the box office. In 2024, Saif had his second Telugu film release in the action film Devara: Part 1. This film became the highest-earning of his career.
In January 2025, Saif Ali Khan was injured during an incident at his Mumbai home. He received medical care and was discharged after five days. Police later arrested a suspect.
Beyond Acting
Besides acting, Saif Ali Khan has been part of many concert tours and award shows. In 2004, he performed in his first concert tour, Temptations 2004. He toured with other famous actors in over 22 countries. In 2005, he performed with the band Parikrama. He also joined the Heat 2006 world tour. He performed at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Since 2011, Saif has helped manage his father's eye hospital. He also supports various charity causes. In 2005, he participated in a telethon concert to raise money for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. He played in a charity cricket match in England in 2007. He also hosted an event to raise funds for charities in 2011. In 2008, he performed in a concert to help victims of the 2008 Bihar flood. In 2013, he attended a charity dinner and donated items to help fund eye surgeries. He also spent time with underprivileged children. In 2014, Saif became an ambassador for Olympic Gold Quest. He donated money to help train athletes.
In the Spotlight
Saif Ali Khan describes himself as a "very private person". Journalists note that his interests go beyond films. He can talk about many topics, from philosophy to sports. Early in his career, some thought he was arrogant. However, he later became a respected star. He has acted in both big mainstream films and smaller independent movies. He has played roles in many film types, especially romantic comedies.
Saif is one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood. He is considered a very popular celebrity in India. He is known for dedicating himself to each role. Critics say Dil Chahta Hai was a major turning point for him. This film helped him find his own acting style. It also helped him become part of a "new genre of films" that were more urban. His English upbringing, which was once a challenge, became his strength. After playing diverse roles, Saif was praised for his versatility. India Today said his roles helped create a new image for leading actors.
Since 2007, Saif's relationship with Kareena Kapoor became very famous. Their marriage in 2012 was a big social event. Kareena gave birth to their son Taimur in 2016. From 2012 to 2019, Saif was on Forbes India's "Celebrity 100" list. This list is based on income and popularity. He was ranked among the top male stars in Bollywood. He has also been featured as one of the best-dressed male celebrities.
Awards and Achievements
Saif Ali Khan has won many film awards. These include a National Film Award for Best Actor. He has also won seven Filmfare Awards from twelve nominations.
His Filmfare Awards include:
- Best Male Debut for Aashiq Awara (1993)
- Best Performance in a Comic Role for Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Hum Tum (2004)
- Best Supporting Actor for Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Tanhaji (2020)
- Best Performance in a Negative Role for Omkara (2006)
- The "Moto Look of the Year" for Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Images for kids
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Pictured with co-actor Salman at an event for World Aids Day in 2007, with whom he co-starred in the ensemble drama Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999)—Khan's biggest commercial success of the decade.
See also
In Spanish: Saif Ali Khan para niños
- List of Indian film actors
