Saif Ali Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saif Ali Khan
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Khan in 2017
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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 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4, inc. Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan |
| Parents |
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| Family | Pataudi family |
| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2010) |
Saif Ali Khan (born Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi on 16 August 1970) is a famous Indian actor and film producer. He mainly works in Hindi films. He is the son of actress Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Since 2011, he has been the head of the Pataudi family.
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 his acting career in 1993 with the film Parampara. He became successful in movies with many stars like Yeh Dillagi (1994) and Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994). In the 2000s, he earned praise for his roles in romantic comedies. These included Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). He also found success as a main actor in films like Hum Tum (2004) and Salaam Namaste (2005).
He also received good reviews for playing different kinds of characters. For example, he played a clever businessman in Ek Hasina Thi (2004). He also played a character inspired by Iago in Omkara (2006). More recently, he starred in Netflix's first original Indian series Sacred Games (2018–2019). His highest-earning films include Tanhaji (2020) and Devara: Part 1 (2024).
Besides acting, Saif Ali Khan often hosts TV shows and performs on stage. He also promotes various brands. He owns two film production companies: Illuminati Films and Black Knight Films. He has four children. Two are with his first wife, Amrita Singh, and two are with his current wife, Kareena Kapoor.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
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 India national cricket team. His mother, Sharmila Tagore, is a famous film actress.
Saif's father was the son of the last ruling Nawab of Pataudi. This was a princely state during the British Raj. After his father passed away in 2011, a special ceremony was held. Saif was "crowned" as the "tenth Nawab of Pataudi" in a symbolic way. He attended this ceremony to respect the feelings of the villagers.
Saif has two younger sisters. One is a jewelry designer named Saba Ali Khan. The other is an actress named Soha Ali Khan. His family has a rich history. His paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, also played cricket for India. His great-grandfather was Hamidullah Khan, the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.
Saif grew up as a Muslim. He remembers watching his father play cricket in the garden. He says his father's education and background greatly influenced their family life. Saif went to The Lawrence School, Sanawar in Himachal Pradesh. Later, he studied at Lockers Park School and Winchester College in England. He admitted he didn't always study hard, but he was smart when he tried.
After finishing school, Khan returned to India. He worked for an advertising company for two months. He then appeared in a TV commercial. This led him to move to Mumbai to become an actor. He felt excited to start his own career in films.
Acting Career and Personal Life
Early Roles and Challenges (1991–2000)
In 1991, Saif Ali Khan was chosen for a main role in the film Bekhudi (1992). However, he was replaced because the director thought he was unprofessional. While filming Bekhudi, Khan met actress Amrita Singh. They got married in October 1991. They had a daughter, Sara, in 1995, and a son, Ibrahim, in 2001. The couple separated in 2004.
Khan's first film to be released was Parampara in 1993. It didn't do well. His next films, Aashiq Awara and Pehchaan, also failed. But he won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for Aashiq Awara.
In 1994, Khan had success with two films alongside Akshay Kumar. These were Yeh Dillagi and Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Main Khiladi Tu Anari was a big hit. Critics said these films were a turning point for Khan. His acting in Main Khiladi Tu Anari earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
However, his career slowed down in the mid-1990s. Many of his films during this time were not successful. Critics even thought his career might be over.
Things started to get better in 1999. He appeared in Kachche Dhaage, which was a commercial success. His biggest hit of the decade was Hum Saath-Saath Hain. This family drama had many stars and was the highest-earning film of the year. He also had a small role in the hit comedy Biwi No.1.
In 2000, Khan starred in Kya Kehna. He played a charming character named Rahul Modi. The film dealt with important topics like single parenthood. It became a surprise hit.
Becoming a Popular Actor (2001–2004)
In 2001, Khan starred in Dil Chahta Hai. This film was about the lives of three young friends. Khan played Sameer Mulchandani, a "hopeless romantic." The film was very popular with critics and won a National Film Award. It was a big moment in Khan's career. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role and other awards for Best Supporting Actor. Critics praised his performance as his "career-best."
His next major film was Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). This romantic comedy-drama was set in New York City. It starred Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Preity Zinta. It became India's biggest hit of the year and also did very well internationally. Khan played Rohit Patel, a carefree young man. Critics loved his performance, calling him "natural" and "endearing." He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role.
To try different types of roles, Khan starred in the 2004 thriller Ek Hasina Thi. He played Karan Singh Rathod, a complex character. Critics praised his acting, saying he broke away from his usual "cool dude" image.
Next, he starred in Hum Tum (2004) with Rani Mukerji. This romantic comedy was about two strong-willed people meeting at different times in their lives. Khan played Karan Kapoor, a young cartoonist. The film was a big success. Khan won the 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 company.
Becoming an Established Actor and Producer (2005–2010)
By 2005, Saif Ali Khan was a leading actor in Hindi cinema. He starred in the romantic drama Parineeta and the comedy-drama Salaam Namaste. Parineeta was based on a Bengali story. Khan played Shekhar, a musician. Critics praised his acting, noting his growth as a serious actor. Salaam Namaste was the first Indian film shot entirely in Australia. It was about a modern Indian couple living together. Khan played Nikhil Arora, a young man who moves to Melbourne. The film was a big hit outside India.
In 2006, he starred in the English film Being Cyrus. Later that year, he played the character of Iago in Omkara. This film was an Indian version of William Shakespeare's Othello. It was shown at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Khan received many awards for his role, including Best Performance in a Negative Role. Critics called his performance "powerful."
In 2007, Khan decided to start his own film production company, Illuminati Films. He wanted to make different kinds of movies. He then starred in the epic drama Eklavya: The Royal Guard with Amitabh Bachchan. Although the film didn't do well at the box office, it was chosen as India's official entry for the Oscars. He also appeared in Ta Ra Rum Pum with Rani Mukerji, which earned a lot of money.
In 2008, Khan had another big success with the thriller Race. It was one of the year's biggest hits. Critics said Khan stood out in the film.
In 2009, Khan starred in his company's first film, Love Aaj Kal. This romantic comedy-drama was about how relationships change over time. He played two roles in the film. It received great reviews and was one of the highest-earning films of the year. Khan received another nomination for Best Actor at the Filmfare Awards.
He then starred in the thriller Kurbaan with Kareena Kapoor. He played a terrorist in the film. Critics praised his acting, noting his smooth change from a charming lover to a determined character.
Career Changes and Second Marriage (2011–2015)
In 2011, Saif Ali Khan appeared in the drama Aarakshan. This film discussed the topic of caste-based reservations in India. Khan played a rebellious student. The film received mixed reviews, but his performance was well-received.
The following year, Khan produced and starred in two of his own films. First was the action thriller Agent Vinod. Khan 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 set in London. He played Gautam Kapoor, a software engineer. The film was a financial success. Critics noted that Khan was very comfortable in his role.
On 16 October 2012, Khan married actress Kareena Kapoor in a private ceremony. They had been together for five years. They have two sons, Taimur (born in 2016) and Jehangir (born in 2021).
In 2013, Khan reunited with Deepika Padukone in Race 2. This action thriller was a sequel to Race (2008). Despite negative reviews, it was a commercial success. He then played Boris, a "Russian mafia don," in Go Goa Gone. This was called "India's first zom-com" (zombie comedy). Khan liked the new idea of the film. His last film of the year was Bullett Raja, a crime drama. Khan found it challenging to play the role of Raja Mishra, a common man who becomes a gangster.
In 2014, Khan starred in the comedy Humshakals. He played three different characters in the film. However, the film was a commercial failure. He also produced and starred in Happy Ending, a romantic comedy. This film also did not perform well at the box office.
In 2015, he appeared in Phantom with Katrina Kaif. This counter-terrorism drama was about the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Khan played Cpt. Daniyal Khan, a former soldier. The film faced some controversy and was banned in Pakistan. Critics found Khan "believable" in his role.
Recent Work and Professional Growth (2016–Present)
After a break, Khan looked for different kinds of roles. In 2017, he starred in Rangoon, a romance set during World War II. He played filmmaker Rustom "Rusi" Billimoria. Critics praised his performance.
He then played the main character, Roshan Kalra, in the 2017 comedy-drama Chef. This was an official adaptation of a 2014 film. Khan related to the film's modern take on relationships. He trained at hotels to prepare for his role as a chef. Many critics said it was his best performance at that time. However, both Rangoon and Chef did not earn much at the box office.
In 2018, Khan appeared as Inspector Sartaj Singh in Sacred Games. This was India's first Netflix original series. It was a crime thriller based on a novel. Khan was excited to be part of a creative project without the usual pressures of films. The show received high praise, and Khan's performance was called "stellar." He also starred in Baazaar, a drama about Mumbai's stock market. Khan played a businessman named Skakun Kothari.
In 2019, Khan starred in the action-drama Laal Kaptaan. He played a sadhu (holy man) seeking revenge in the 18th century. He learned sword-fighting and horse-riding for the role. He called it "the hardest thing I have done so far." However, the film did not do well.
Khan started 2020 with a starring role in Tanhaji. This historical drama was set in the 17th century. Khan played a Rajput fort keeper. The film was highly praised and became a huge commercial success. It earned over ₹3.67 billion (US$62 million) worldwide. Critics called Khan's performance the film's best part. He won his second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Tanhaji. His next film was Jawaani Jaaneman, a comedy-drama about a bachelor who finds out he has a daughter. The film received positive reviews.
In 2021, Khan appeared in the Amazon Prime Video drama series Tandav, playing a politician. He also starred in the crime 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 noted his strong portrayal of a tough cop.
In 2023, Khan 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. The film received negative reactions and did not do well at the box office. In 2024, Khan had his second Telugu film release in the action film Devara: Part 1. This film became the highest-grossing film of his career.
In 2025, Khan played a jewel thief in the Netflix action thriller Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins.
Off-Screen Activities
Tours and Events
Besides acting, Saif Ali Khan has taken part in many concert tours and award shows. In 2004, he performed in his first concert tour, Temptations 2004. He toured with other famous actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. This became Bollywood's biggest international concert at the time. In 2006, he was part of the Heat 2006 world tour. He also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Music
Saif Ali Khan has also shown his musical talent. In 2005, he performed with the band Parikrama. Two years later, he played the guitar with them and the band Strings from Pakistan during a four-city concert tour.
Charity Work
Since 2011, Khan has been involved in managing his father's eye hospital. He also supports many other charity causes. In 2005, he joined other Bollywood actors in a telethon concert. This event raised money for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
In 2007, he played in a charity cricket match. In 2011, he hosted an event to raise funds for various charities. In 2008, he performed in a concert to help victims of the 2008 Bihar flood. In 2013, he attended a charity dinner and donated personal items to help fund cataract operations. He also spent time with underprivileged children. In 2014, Khan became an ambassador for Olympic Gold Quest. He donated money to help train athletes.
In the Media
Saif Ali Khan describes himself as a "very private person." Journalists note that he can talk about many different topics, not just movies or workouts. Early in his career, some thought he was arrogant. But he later became one of the most respected stars in the film industry.
He has acted in both big mainstream films and smaller independent movies. He has also played roles in many different film genres. He is especially known for his roles in romantic comedies. His roles in films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and Hum Tum (2004) made him known as the "poster boy for romantic comedies."
Khan is one of the most popular celebrities in India. He is known for putting a lot of effort into each role. Critics say that Dil Chahta Hai was a major turning point for him. This film helped him find his unique acting style. His English upbringing, which was once seen as a disadvantage, became one of his strengths. After playing various characters in films like Ek Hasina Thi (2004) and Omkara (2006), he became known for his versatility.
Since 2007, his relationship with Kareena Kapoor has been widely reported. Their marriage was called India's "wedding and social event of the year." From 2012 to 2019, Khan was on Forbes India's "Celebrity 100" list. This list is based on the income and popularity of Indian celebrities. He was ranked among the top actors on Rediff's lists in the 2000s. He has also been featured as one of the best-dressed male celebrities in GQ magazine.
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)
See also
In Spanish: Saif Ali Khan para niños
- List of Indian film actors
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.
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Khan co-hosted the Filmfare Awards five times with Shah Rukh Khan: 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2013. He also co-hosted once with Sonali Bendre in 2005.
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Pictured with co-actor Ajay Devgn at an event for Tanhaji in 2020. It marked their second collaboration and the film emerged as Khan's highest-grossing release.
