Saif Ali Khan is an example of rare self-discovery and growth. From being dismissed as a nonactor to becoming one of the most versatile and powerful performers of his time, he came a full circle. With his performances like Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum, Omkara, and Sacred Games, he proved himself as a powerhouse of acting talent and charisma.
Early Life and Family
Saif Ali Khan, born Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi on August 16, 1970, in New Delhi, India, is a prominent figure in Hindi cinema. Saif is the son of legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger) and acclaimed actress Sharmila Tagore. Khan has two sisters: jewelry designer Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan. His paternal grandfather Iftikhar Ali Khan Patudi, played cricket for England and India.
Khan grew up in a privileged environment. He attended The Lawrence School in Sanawar. Later, he studied at Lockers Park School in England. He completed education at Winchester College. He briefly worked in advertising in Delhi. In 1992, he gets his break with Rahul Rawail’s Bekhudi opposite Kajol. He was later replaced by Kamal Sadanah. Rawail said it was unprofessionalism, Saif said that “My director asked me to choose between the film and my then girlfriend, I choose Later.”
Saif Ali Khan In Films
Saif’s debut came with Yash Chopra’s multistrrer “Parampara” in 1993. Film also had Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna, Aamir Khan, Neelam and Raveena Tandon, and Ramya Krishnan. The film did not fare well at the box office.
However, his breakthrough came with the films “Yeh Dillagi” opposite Kajol and “Main Khiladi Tu Anari” opposite Rageshwari in 1994. His song from Ye Dillagi, “Ole Ole,” is still popular.
In both these films he acted alongside Akshay Kumar. The pairing gets immese love from audience for their comarediry. The went on to acted in other films like Tu Chor Main Sipahi (1996), Keemat: They Are Back (1998), and Aarzoo (1999).
In his initial films he showcased his versatility and charm as an actor. But despite these films, he never considered a lead or a box office draw. Initially, Saif was considered just a pretty face who couldn’t really act or pull a film on his shoulders. But as audiences loved him for his charm, he was always cast as the second lead with more established stars or with a strong female lead. Some of his other notable films include Imtihaan (1994), Surakshaa (1995), Ek Tha Raja (1996), Bambai Ka Babu (1996), Dil Tera Diwana (1996), Hameshaa (1997), Udaan (1997), Humse Badhkar Kaun (1998), and Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002).
Breakthrough of Saif Ali Khan
In 1999 he got success in Kachche Dhaage (1999), with Ajay Devgan. He also acted in Suraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) opposite Karishma Kapoor. His negative role in Kya Kehna (2000), was also notable. In 2001 he played supporting role in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) to widespread acclaim.
In 2001, Saif Ali Khan starred with Amir Khan and Akshay Khanna in Farhan Akhtar‘s “Dil Chahta Hai,” a coming-of-age story that presents a fresh take on new-age urban relationships. Saif proved to be the surprising package of the film. He gets immense acclaim for his comic timing and sauve charm as a goofy Sameer. Soon after Dil Chahta Hai, he starred in Nikhil Adwani’s “Kal Ho Na Ho (2003),” with Shahrukh Khan and Priety Zinta. His portrayal of Lovedale Rohit was a “landmark” in his career.
The early 2000s saw Saif’s rise to prominence, with a National Film Award for Kunar Kohli’s “Hum Tum” and Filmfare Awards for “Dil Chahta Hai,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho,” and “Hum Tum.” Saif continued to expand his repertoire with diverse roles in films like “Parineeta (2005),” Salam Namaste (2005).” and “Being Cyrus (2006).”
One of his biggest career highlights was Vishal Bhardwaj‘s Omkara, where he played the character of “Langda Tyagi.” The character was polar opposite of his image of a sofisticated and suave urban high-class young man. Tyagi was rustic and cunning cripple from the Hindi heartland, and Saif played him with utmost honesty and minute nuances from body language, expressions, and lingo to the cripple walk.
The Most Versatile Khan
He also ventured into film production with his company, Illuminati Films, and produced successful films such as “Love Aaj Kal” (2009), Agent Vinod (2012), Cocktail (2012), Go Goa Gone (2013), Happy Ending (2014), and Jawaani Jaaneman (2020).
Some of his other notable films include Race (2008), Roadside Romeo (2008), Kurbaan (2009), Race 2 (2013), Bullett Raja (2013), Rangoon (2017), Chef (2017), Kaalakaandi (2018), Baazaar (2018), Laal Kaptaan (2019), Tanhaji (2020), Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021), Vikram Vedha (2022), and many more. More recently he acted in Devara: Part 1 (2024) and Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins (2025).
In 2018, Saif gave a steller performance as Inspector Sartaj Singh in Sacred Games, India’s first Netflix original series. The crime thriller based on Vikram Chandra’s novel was directed by Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Neeraj Ghaywan. He starred in Ali Abbas Zafar’s political thriller series for Amazon Prime, “Tabdav,” in 2021 with Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub.
Personal Life
Saif Ali Khan first married actress Amrita Singh early in his life. It was a love marriage. Together they had two children, Sara and Ibraheem. Sara is established her self as promissing actress with films like Kedarnath, Simba and Atrangi Re. Ibrahim made his debut with Nadaaniyan, and Sarzameen and is in the process of find his footing. The couple separated after 13 years of marriage in 2004.
Saif later tied the knot with actress Kareena Kapoor in 2012. The fell in love while filming of Tashan and married after some time. and went on to have two kids: Taimoor and Jeh.
Saif’s contribution to Indian cinema has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 2010. As the current head of the Pataudi royal family, he has balanced his royal responsibilities with his artistic pursuits, creating a legacy that blends tradition with modernity.
Saif Ali Khan on IMDB
