Saba Pataudi recalls Saif Ali Khan stealing her favourite T-shirt, calls Kareena Kapoor ‘very straightforward and supportive’: ‘Kareena is not dramatic, she is entertaining and doesn’t pretend to be anyone else’
Saba Pataudi may have largely remained away from the film industry spotlight, but she often gives fans glimpses into her close-knit family through social media. In a recent conversation, she looked back at her childhood with siblings Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan while also sharing her thoughts on sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor. From amusing memories of Saif borrowing her clothes to describing the support they continue to offer one another, Saba spoke warmly about her family’s bond.
Saif Ali Khan’s childhood mischief
Speaking to Big Bollywood Buffs, Saba recalled how growing up with Saif often meant dealing with his playful antics. She remembered one particular incident involving one of her favourite T-shirts.“We spent a lot of time growing up. At some point, he pinched my T-shirt instead of my sister. He was raiding my cupboard, and I was asking my mother, ‘I can’t find my favourite Benetton blue shirt.’ And she said, ‘No wonder Saif is wearing this tight blue T-shirt everywhere.’”She also remembered another playful episode involving money from her wallet.“We have had episodes together. He would take Rs 50 from my wallet and give it back to me, saying it was Rakhi money. They are fun memories. We grew up together. But later, we started going our separate ways, college started creating some distance between us,” she recalled.As Saif entered the film industry and eventually became a father to Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, their lives became increasingly busy, making the time they spent together less frequent.
Saba Ali Khan says she can rely on Saif Ali Khan
Despite growing up and following different paths, Saba said the family continues to share a strong support system. She emphasised that they maintain their individual lives while remaining available for one another when needed.“We are there for each other all the time as a family, and at the same time, each one of us is quite independent and has our own space. It’s a good balance. I can count on him when there is a crisis. I know that Soha and Saif have my back, and I have theirs. It’s a given. I don’t doubt that.”Saba also expressed her admiration for Saif’s dedication to his profession and said she has always been proud of the actor.“As a sister, I am so proud of him. He works tremendously hard. He believes in his work, and in anything he does, he gives it his 100%. He is a natural.”
Saba Ali Khan praises Saif Ali Khan’s acting ability
While discussing her siblings, Saba admitted that she has occasionally joked with Soha about their respective film choices. However, when it comes to Saif’s talent, she was unequivocal.“I joke with Soha, saying that actually, he is talented. She has had some very good films too, but not all. Some of them were like, ‘What were you thinking?’ But bhai is talented. He is a complete natural and is meant to be in cinema. He is a very good father and brother. He does his best.”Beyond his acting skills, Saba described Saif as someone she finds inspiring, particularly because of his personality and upbringing.“He is very inspiring. He is witty and well-read. He studied in London, and then there was the upbringing. We are not just an Indian family. The exposure brings a very different kind of upbringing. Our parents would never read letters that were addressed to us. We had our privacy. We were trusted to do what was correct. We were given a deadline, and we had to stick with it.”
Saba Ali Khan holds Kareena Kapoor in high regard
Saba also spoke affectionately about Kareena Kapoor, praising her confidence, honesty and approach towards her career and public life.“Kareena is not dramatic. She is entertaining. She is very good at her job. She is fantastic. She knows exactly what she wants to do. And what I love about her is that she owns who she is. So when somebody else, like the media, is pulling her leg and calling her anything that’s not exactly a compliment, she’s like, ‘So what?’ Somebody like that is very clear about who she is. That is commendable. I respect her a lot because I think who she is is what she is. She doesn’t pretend to be anyone else.”For Saba, Kareena’s straightforward personality is one of the qualities she appreciates most about her sister-in-law.
Kareena Kapoor has always been supportive
Describing Kareena in more personal terms, Saba highlighted her considerate nature and the support she has received from her over the years.“Kareena is very conscientious. She is very straightforward and she’s just very supportive. She has been very kind to me.”Saba’s comments offer a glimpse into the equation shared by the Pataudi family, where individual independence coexists with a strong sense of loyalty and support.
