Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan, born Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi on August 16, 1970, is an Indian actor and film producer who works primarily in Hindi cinema. Born in New Delhi to film actress Sharmila Tagore and former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, he was raised in a Muslim family with notable historical and sports heritage. He attended The Lawrence School, Sanawar, before moving to England to study at Lockers Park School and Winchester College. Upon returning to India, he briefly worked at a Delhi advertising agency before moving to Mumbai to initiate a career in acting.

Khan made his feature screen debut in the 1993 drama Parampara and received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his role in Aashiq Awara the same year. He achieved a commercial breakthrough in 1994 through major ensemble projects, including the romantic comedy-drama Yeh Dillagi and the action hit Main Khiladi Tu Anari. Although he experienced a extended period of commercial underperformance during the mid-1990s, his career regained momentum in 1999 with successful roles in the action thriller Kachche Dhaage and the family ensemble drama Hum Saath-Saath Hain.

During the 2000s, Khan earned widespread acclaim for his performances across diverse genres. His portrayal of a carefree romantic in Farhan Akhtar's coming-of-age drama Dil Chahta Hai (2001) marked a major career turning point and won him a Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He subsequently starred in the hit romantic comedy-drama Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), earning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Khan further demonstrated his versatility by playing a deceptive antagonist in the thriller Ek Hasina Thi (2004) and leading popular romantic films such as Hum Tum (2004), Parineeta (2005), Salaam Namaste (2005), and Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007).

Khan continued to earn critical praise for unconventional roles, including an English-language turn in Being Cyrus (2006) and his portrayal of an Iago-inspired character in Omkara (2006). He sustained mainstream commercial success with action thrillers such as Race (2008) and Race 2 (2013), alongside romantic comedies like Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Cocktail (2012). In later years, he starred in Netflix's first Indian original series, Sacred Games (2018–2019), and appeared in high-grossing action features including Tanhaji (2020) and Devara: Part 1 (2024).

Beyond acting, Khan manages the production banners Illuminati Films and Black Knight Films, endorses various commercial brands, presents television shows, and performs in stage productions. His achievements include a National Film Award, seven Filmfare Awards, and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, conferred in 2010. Following his father's death in 2011, he became the titular head of the Pataudi family. Khan was married to his first wife, actress Amrita Singh, from 1991 until their separation in 2004, and later married actress Kareena Kapoor; he has four children across the two marriages.