When talking about the most discussed Bollywood weddings of the 1990s, the marriage between actor Saif Ali Khan and actress Amrita Singh holds a prominent position. In 1991, when 21-year-old Saif Ali Khan decided to tie the knot with established actress Amrita Singh, who was 12 years older than him, it took the film industry and fans completely by surprise. Coming from different religious backgrounds, their marriage was solemnized in great haste and utmost secrecy, away from grand family gatherings. For decades, movie enthusiasts questioned why Saif Ali Khan's own sisters, Soha Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi, were not present at this major personal event. Now, nearly 35 years later, both sisters have publicly opened up about the circumstances of that period.
The Unexpected Moment During School Days
Appearing as guests on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's digital show 'Double Date', Saba Pataudi and Soha Ali Khan recalled this memorable episode from their early lives. Saba Pataudi shared that when Saif Ali Khan married Amrita Singh, she was just 15 years old, while Soha Ali Khan was only 13 years old. Both sisters were studying in boarding school at the time. The wedding was organized so quickly that there was no opportunity to include the young schoolgirls. Additionally, given their tender age, the family chose to keep them away from the immediate developments surrounding the secret ceremony.
A Call to the Principal Office and Teacher's News
Elaborating on the incident, Saba Pataudi described how news of her brother's wedding suddenly began appearing in newspapers. Amidst the growing media chatter, she was summoned to the school principal's office to receive a phone call from home. During the call, family members instructed both sisters to remain strictly quiet and not discuss the matter with anyone outside. At that point, the family itself was trying to process how accurate the media reports were, which led them to advise the young sisters to maintain silence.
Soha Ali Khan added her own perspective, revealing that she first learned about her brother's secret marriage not from a family member, but from her French language teacher. When the teacher inquired about the wedding news, Soha realized what had transpired back home. Hearing this unusual account, show host Neha Dhupia expressed genuine surprise at how the sisters discovered such significant family news during their school days.
From the Wedding Ceremony to Family Expansion
Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh first met when Saif was attempting to establish his acting career, while Amrita was already a successful leading star in Hindi cinema. Despite the initial hurdles and age difference, their connection led to their sudden 1991 marriage. Following their wedding, the couple welcomed their daughter Sara Ali Khan in 1995, followed by the birth of their son Ibrahim Ali Khan in 2001. Their family life remained a focal point of media attention throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Post-Divorce Phase and New Beginnings
After living together for nearly 13 years, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh decided to part ways, completing their divorce in 2004. Following the separation, Amrita Singh focused her full attention on raising Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Today, both Sara and Ibrahim have embarked on their own acting careers within the film industry.
On the other hand, Saif Ali Khan married actress Kareena Kapoor in 2012. Saif and Kareena Kapoor have two sons together, named Taimur Ali Khan and Jahangir Ali Khan (Jeh). This candid recollection shared by Soha Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi after 35 years brings to light a fascinating, previously unknown detail from one of Bollywood's most famous personal histories.
