Soha Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi reveal how they learned about Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's secret wedding through a call, and why the whole family missed the wedding.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSaif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's whirlwind marriage remains one of the most talked-about love stories, even decades after their divorce. When they tied the knot in 1991, the Pataudi heir was only around 21, whereas Amrita was around 33.
While fans know the couple tied the knot despite a 12-year age gap and family reservations, another talking point of their marriage was the absence of the Pataudis. Now, Saif's younger sisters, Soha Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi, have revealed why they did not attend the wedding.
During a recent appearance on Double Date with Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, the sisters reflected on the unusual circumstances surrounding Saif and Amrita's marriage. Saba, who was just 15 years old at the time while Soha was 13, recalled that they were called into the principal's office after reports of the wedding began appearing in newspapers. Saba shared:
"He got married when we were in school. We got a call in the principal’s office from the parents saying, 'You won’t tell anyone anything. We don’t know how real the news is because it was in the newspapers by then. So we were told that we shouldn’t tell anyone.'"
Neha Dhupia appeared surprised to learn that neither sister had attended the ceremony. Explaining why, Soha said, "Also, we were very young then. I remember my French teacher told me. It was a last-minute affair."
Saif Ali Khan first met Amrita Singh during the photoshoot for Rahul Rawail's film that was set to mark his Bollywood debut. Although it wasn't love at first sight, Saif was instantly drawn to Amrita. A few days later, he called her and asked her out for dinner. That first date changed everything, and almost instantly, they were madly in love.
After dating and living together for a few months, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh tied the knot in October 1991. Saif was only 21 years old at the time, while Amrita was 12 years his senior, making their marriage one of Bollywood's most talked-about unions. Speaking about their impromptu wedding, Saif said during an appearance on Koffee With Karan 8:
"It was kind of like running away from home in a sense. I don't remember so many things going on, and I found a kind of security and an idea that it feels great. I thought I could make a home out of that."
Saif admitted that he told his mother, Sharmila Tagore, about his marriage to Amrita Singh only after the wedding had already taken place. While the news initially left her emotional and surprised, she ultimately supported the couple. She met Amrita over tea the very next day and warmly welcomed her as her new daughter-in-law.
The wedding reportedly took place without the presence of family members from either side. Celebrity designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who were close to the couple, later revealed in an interview that they were the ones who signed as witnesses on the couple's nikahnama. The designer duo recalled that everything happened at the last minute. According to them, Amrita had little time to prepare for the ceremony and wore whatever was available, while Saif opted for a bandhgala. They further recalled calling a maulvi and a pandit for the wedding. They shared:
"She got ready in whatever fit her, because there was no time… Fortunately, from her mother, she got some fantastic jewellery. Saif wore a bandhgala. Then, the maulvi said, ‘What is your name? Your name has to start with A.’ All four of us started looking at each other, and the pandit says, ‘Aziza’. That was a runaway bride; it was insane. Driving back, her mother called her… Eventually, they took it in their stride."
Saif and Amrita welcomed daughter Sara Ali Khan in 1995 and son Ibrahim Ali Khan in 2001. After 13 years of marriage, the couple eventually divorced in 2004. After marrying Kareena Kapoor in 2012, Saif welcomed two more kids, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan.
What do you think about the Pataudi sisters' revelation about Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's wedding?
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