Sharmila Tagore converted to Islam after marrying Tiger Pataudi and taught children about it, recalls Saba Ali Pataudi: ‘We didn’t practice Hinduism but our parents never imposed any religion on Saif, Soha or me’

Sharmila Tagore and former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s daughter Saba Pataudi has been away from the limelight while her brother Saif Ali Khan and sister Soha Ali Khan became actors and are more well known. But Saba is known to have her own individuality, is quite intellectual and fans love the anecdotes, photos shared by her on the gram featuring the Pataudi family. In a recent interview, she has opened up on her parents’ interfaith wedding and the things they imbibed as children from them.Saba said she has always felt a strong connection with Islam and described herself as a religious person. “For me, I would say my religion is Islam, and I do connect with it. And I’m spiritual because, if I were to think of a God, I would probably say Allah. That doesn’t mean that I don’t respect other religions, of course not,” she said in a conversation with YouTube channel Big Bollywood Buffs.Saba explained that Sharmila converted to Islam after marrying Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and subsequently introduced their children to the faith. According to Saba, her mother wanted her children to have a spiritual foundation while leaving them free to decide what they ultimately believed.“When Amma and Abba got married, Amma, in fact, did convert to Islam and did guide us in Islam, perhaps so that we wouldn’t be confused and would have some sort of grounding. So there was no temple, there was no Hindu religion that we practised. In fact, she taught me my faith and gave me an understanding of Islam, Ramzan and things like that. And then it was our choice what we wanted to follow.”Saba added that religion was never forced upon her or her siblings, Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. “It’s not something I think my father or mother, or anybody, would have imposed on any of us,” she said.She also pointed out that her siblings went on to have interfaith marriages, reflecting the family’s broader approach to faith. “My siblings are in interfaith marriages, I don’t think anybody is following anything very strictly. But I think faith is something that’s very personal. It’s not something that anybody can impose on anyone. It’s your choice what you turn to,” she said.Despite being raised with an understanding of Islam, Saba recalled that her childhood home embraced celebrations associated with several religions and communities. “We’ve grown up celebrating Christmas, Diwali, Holi, everything. My parents, I think, have never imposed any particular religion. And I think that’s fair. I think that’s also something every parent should do with their child.”Sharmila Tagore has previously spoken about her decision to embrace Islam following her marriage to Mansoor. In an earlier conversation with Simi Garewal, she reflected on the experience, saying, “It wasn’t easy nor was it very difficult. It had to be faced and understood. You couldn’t be very flippant about it. Before that, I wasn’t terribly religious. Now, I think I know more about Hinduism and Islam.”Sharmila also revealed that her husband suggested the name Ayesha after her conversion.In another interview with Tweak India, the actor recalled the hostility the couple faced when their marriage was announced. Remembering one of the threats they received, she said, “Bullets shall speak.”