5 Lesser-Known Facts About Pataudi Palace, Saif Ali Khan's Ancestral Home

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor own an enviable chunk of real estate—from a chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland to their brand new Bandra home—yet, their most impressive residence happens to be the Khan's ancestral property, Pataudi Palace. 

Located in the state of Haryana, the couple, as well as sister Soha Ali Khan, often take to social media to share glimpses of the palatial estate, also known as ‘Ibrahim Kothi'. And, did you know that Taimur Ali Khan's very first birthday was celebrated at the princely abode in 2017? Yup. "It’s impossible to put a value to it in monetary terms because emotionally, the property is priceless. My grandparents and father are buried there, there’s security, serenity, and a spiritual connection there for me. The land goes back by a few centuries, but the palace that my grandfather built for my grandmother is around a hundred years old,” Saif Ali Khan once shared in an interview. 

If we've caught your attention, let us take you through some interesting, lesser-known facts about the property. 

 

1. Historical Hotel to Holiday Home

 

The resplendent property was leased out to Neemrana Hotels between the year 2005 and 2014—after the death of Saif's father, Nawab Mohammad Mansoor Ali Khan Siddiqui Pataudi. After one of the founders of the hotel passed away, Saif Ali Khan was offered Pataudi Palace for a handsome sum. At this point, the actor chose to regain ownership of the family home. "The house I’m supposed to have inherited has been earned back through money from films. You can’t live off the past. At least we can’t in our family, because there was nothing. There is history, culture, beautiful photographs; and, of course, some land. It has been a privileged upbringing. But there’s been no inheritance,” the actor revealed in an interview. 

 

2. Architecture and Interior Design

 

The overall structure of Pataudi Palace was inspired by the colonial mansions of Imperial Delhi. In the 1900s, Robert Tor Russell and Austrian architect Karl Molt von Heinz took upon building and designing the royal space. Once Saif Ali Khan came back into the picture, he roped in interior architect Darshini Shah—who also worked on the couple's old and new Mumbai homes—to refurbish the palace.

 

3. State-of-the-art Features and Amenities

 

The expansive 10-acre property boasts of 150 rooms including seven dressing rooms, seven bedrooms, seven billiard rooms, drawing and dining rooms, lush green lawns etc. It is valued at a whopping 800 crores and we often spot the Khan and Kapoor families enjoying themselves at the holiday home. From Karisma Kapoor to Soha Ali Khan, the duos friends and families are always welcome to Pataudi Palace. In fact, Taimur Ali Khan's first birthday in 2017 was celebrated at Pataudi Palace. Plus, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s 39th birthday bash and their annual Christmas festivities also took place here.

 

4. Bollywood and Hollywood Film Shootings

 

Yup, you heard that right. From Shah Rukh Khan's 'Veer Zara' to 'Mangal Pandey', 'Gandhi, My Father', Julia Roberts' 'Eat Pray Love', 'Mere Brother ki Dulhan', and Saif's latest Amazon Prime Video series 'Tandav', the palace has been a popular shoot location over the years. "I think it is the palace that lends us the royal look. Anyone standing there would look royal," Ali Khan shared with Mid Day. 

 

5. History About the Ruling Family 

 

The property was passed down from the last ruling Nawab, Iftikhar Ali Khan, to his son, the last recognised titular nawab, Mansoor Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan's father). And, while you'd expect the Nawabs to enjoy the grandeur of the spectacular property, the Khan men were far too ambitious to sit around on a throne. Both Iftikhar Ali Khan and Mansoor Ali Khan were cricketers, while Saif enjoys a respected position in the film industry.