Soha Ali Khan

Early life and background

Khan was born on 4 October 1978 in New Delhi, India, to the Pataudi family as the Nawab of Pataudis. She is the youngest daughter of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the 9th Nawab of Pataudi hailing from the Barech tribe of Pashtuns, and Sharmila Tagore, an actress of Bengali-Assamese descent hailing from the Tagore family. Both her father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and paternal grandfather Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi were former captains of the Indian cricket team, while her grandmother, Sajida Sultan Pataudi, was the Begum of Bhopal.

Khan's elder brother Saif Ali Khan is a Bollywood actor and her elder sister, Saba Ali Khan, is a jewellery designer and the mutawalli of Auqaf-e-Shahi. The titular Begum of Bhopal, Saleha Sultan, was her aunt, and through her, she is the first cousin of cricketer, Saad Bin Jung. The late major general of Pakistan, Sher Ali Khan Pataudi, is her great-granduncle, and the diplomat Shahryar Khan is her uncle, through her grandaunt Abida Sultan. She is the aunt of Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan and the sister-in-law of Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Khan attended The British School, in New Delhi, studied modern history at Balliol College, Oxford and earned a master's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Career

Khan made her acting debut in 2004 with the Bengali film Iti Srikanta, playing a Vaishnavite. In the same year, she made her Hindi film debut with Dil Maange More!!! opposite Shahid Kapoor, which failed at the box office. She performed in another Bengali film Antar Mahal (2005) and then appeared in several box office failures.

The year 2006 proved a turning point in Khan's career. Her most notable role came in the political drama Rang De Basanti, where she played dual roles of a college student and Durgawati Devi. The film became one of the year's highest grossing release and earned her the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress and a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Calling her "efficient", Taran Adarsh found her performance to be a complete revelation. She then played a girl who runs away from home opposite Abhay Deol in the romance Ahista Ahista. Vinayak Chakravorty stated that she is "perfect" as the soft foil.

Following this, Khan appeared in several films such as Khoya Khoya Chand opposite Shiney Ahuja, 99 opposite Kunal Khemu, Tum Mile, opposite Emraan Hashmi and Mr Joe B. Carvalho opposite Arshad Warsi. Khan hosted the game show Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo. In 2017, Khan acted in a short film, Soundproof, which was directed by Aditya Kelgaonkar. It was screened at various film festivals and won awards at the New York Indian Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Houston, Ottawa Indian Film Festival Awards, where it won best short film award; International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, where it won award for best short fiction; and Belgaum International Short Film Festival. Her other box office successes include Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns opposite Jimmy Sheirgill, and Ghayal: Once Again opposite Sunny Deol.

Post a hiatus from acting, Khan expanded to web in 2022 with Kaun Banegi Shikharwati and Hush Hush. Archika Khurana of The Times of India found her to be "graceful and royal". Following a seven year hiatus from films, Khan returned with the 2025 horror film Chhorii 2, where she played a vampire cult head. Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India found her character to be the film's only "productive entity".

Off-screen work

In addition to her acting career, Khan is a celebrity endorser for brands and products such as Club Mahindra, House of Pataudi and Earthraga among others. In 2022, she was appointed as the brand advocate for New Zealand education in India.

Khan authored her memoir named, The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, which was released in 2017. In 2018, Khan won the Crossword Book Award for her book.

Personal life

Khan was in a relationship with actor Kunal Khemu since 2009. Khan got engaged to Khemu in July 2014 in Paris and married him in Mumbai on 25 January 2015. She gave birth to their daughter, Inaaya Naumi Khemu on 29 September 2017.

Filmography

Films

Web series

Awards and nominations

Bibliography

References

References

1. (4 October 2012). "Soha Ali Khan turns 34!".
2. Roy Chowdhury, Rishita. (20 September 2021). "Soha Ali Khan poses with mom Sharmila and daughter Inaaya in beautiful family pic".
3. (14 May 2013). "Assam: ULFA opposes award to Sharmila Tagore". Rediff.
4. Pathak, Rohan. (16 March 2017). "5 Facts You Need to Know About Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi". [[The Quint]].
5. "Begums of Bhopal: 107 Years of Golden Reign".
6. Bin Jung, Saad. (20 November 2012). "Subhan and I: My Adventures with Angling Legend of India". Roli Books.
7. (18 February 2021). "Meet Saba Ali Khan – Saif Ali Khan and Soha's lesser-known sibling". [[The Times of India]].
8. Moin, Ather. (20 January 2020). "Titular Queen of Bhopal, Saleha Sultan, passes away". [[Deccan Chronicle]].
9. Gupta, Abhijit Sen. (18 December 2021). "Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi--the hero who conquered setbacks of fate". [[The Siasat Daily]].
10. (16 July 2021). "Sara Ali Khan's aunt Saba Ali Khan upset with actor's fanpage, vows never to share her baby pics again". [[Hindustan Times]].
11. (9 January 2013). "Mom wants me to have a regular job like others: Soha Ali Khan". Mid-day.com.
12. (18 December 2017). "Soha Ali Khan: I Would Like My Daughter to Go to the Oxford University". News18.
13. (4 June 2004). "Classic comeback". The Telegraph.
14. "BBC - Shropshire - Bollywood - Dil Maange More".
15. Siddiqui, Rana. (22 October 2005). "Unlearning to learn". [[The Hindu]].
16. Adarsh, Taran. (26 January 2006). "Movie Review: Rang De Basanti". [[The Indian Express]].
17. (4 October 2021). "How Soha Ali Khan charmed us slowly in Ahista Ahista".
18. (19 August 2006). "REVIEW: Ahista... charms you softly".
19. (16 November 2013). "Soha Ali Khan wears a bikini for 'Mr Joe B Carvalho'". Mid-Day.com.
20. "''Godrej Khelo Jeeto Jiyo''".
21. "18th Annual NEW YORK INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING SCHEDULE Friday May 11".
22. "Indian Film Festival of Houston SOUND PROOF – Short Film".
23. "Welcome to the 2nd OIFFA 72-Hour Short Film Challenge!".
24. "Awards -11th International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala".
25. "Belgaum International Short Film festival successfully hosted".
26. Sen, Raja. "Review: Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns in grand style".
27. (6 February 2016). "PHOTOS: Sunny Deol starrer 'Ghayal Once Again' box office collections soar to Rs 14.85 cr by day 2 – The Financial Express". The Financial Express.
28. "Exclusive: Soha Ali Khan, Kritika Kamra and Shahana Goswami on their layered characters in Hush Hush".
29. "Kaun Banegi Shikharwati Season 1 Review: A fun, breezy take on a dysfunctional royal family". The Times of India.
30. (25 March 2025). "Nushrratt Bharuccha and Soha Ali Khan-starrer Chhorii 2's teaser hints at a more sinister tale". The Indian Express.
31. Desai, Rahul. (11 April 2025). "'Chhorii 2' Movie Review: A Feminism-for-Dummies Horror sequal".
32. "Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu plan vacation in Club Mahindra's ad". Economic Times.
33. "New Zealand announces Soha Ali Khan as its new education brand advocate for India". India Today.
34. Susan, Nisha. (21 December 2017). "Soha Ali Khan's genial memoir The Perils of Being Moderately Famous manages to keep it real". [[Firstpost]].
35. Kapur, Manavi. (3 February 2018). "Soha Ali Khan's 'The Perils of Being Moderately Famous' is an easy read". [[Business Standard]].
36. (20 December 2018). "Sudha Murthy, Ruskin Bond, Snigdha Poonam among winners of this year's Crossword Book Awards". [[Scroll.in]].
37. (22 December 2018). "Shashi Tharoor, Sudha Murty, Ruskin Bond, Soha Ali Khan , Benyamin & Prayaag Akbar win big at the 16th Crossword Book Award". [[The Hans India]].
38. (9 May 2013). "Soha Ali khan: Living-in with Kunal Khemu is like being married". Movies.ndtv.com.
39. (8 October 2013). "Spotted: Soha Ali Khan with beau Kunal Khemu". Mid-day.com.
40. (24 July 2014). "Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu get engaged". The Hindu.
41. Prashar, Chandni. (25 January 2015). "Soha Ali Khan Marries Kunal Khemu, Saif-Kareena Play Hosts". NDTVMovies.com.
42. (29 September 2018). "Soha Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia post adorable pics on Inaaya Naumi Kemmu's first birthday. See here". Hindustan Times.
43. (4 October 2019). "Did you know Soha Ali Khan's acting debut was Iti Srikanta and not Dil Maange More?".
44. (26 February 2014). "'Dil Maange More' was a terrible choice: Soha Ali Khan".
45. (2 September 2005). "Pyaar Mein Twist: Good stuff". Rediff.com.
46. (2 November 2005). "Shaadi No 1: Full of laughs". Rediff.com.
47. (14 November 2005). "'Antarmahal' starring Jackie Shroff, Soha Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan".
48. (4 October 2017). "Happy Birthday Soha Ali Khan: Here's why her Rang De Basanti character is one for the ages".
49. (18 August 2006). "Ahista Ahista, it grows on you". Rediff.com.
50. (13 December 2007). "Khoya Khoya Chand is my most glamorous role: Soha Ali Khan".
51. (18 March 2012). "Chaurahen".
52. (23 August 2008). "'Mumbai Meri Jaan' changes Soha's views".
53. (5 December 2008). "Love Guru makes Bollywood debut with 'Dil Kabaddi'".
54. "Dhoondte Reh Jaoge with Soha Ali Khan & Kunal Khemu".
55. (14 May 2009). "Bollywood Without the Song and Dance".
56. (19 June 2009). "Soha Ali Khan got 'Tum Mile' for new appeal: Director".
57. (3 December 2010). "Sharmila-Soha starrer Life Goes on to hit US theatres before India".
58. (20 July 2008). "'Mumbai Cutting' brings curtains on Osian's film fete".
59. (20 January 2010). "Mishra's Tera Kya Hoga Johnny leaked online".
60. (7 September 2011). "Neerav Ghosh's first film Soundtrack, starring Rajeev Khandelwal and Soha Ali Khan, is all set to hit screens on September 30".
61. (4 August 2010). "Soha Ali Khan in Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children".
62. (7 February 2013). "Soha Ali Khan was effortless in her role in Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns: Tigmanshu Dhulia". NDTV.
63. (13 July 2013). "Why Soha Ali Khan and family don't act together". NDTV.
64. (22 May 2013). "Soha finishes Delhi schedule for 'War Chhod Na Yaar'".
65. (20 November 2013). "Soha Ali Khan to play a cop in 'Mr. Joe B Carvalho'".
66. (29 August 2014). "I've grown as an actor while working in Chaarfutiya Chhokare: Soha".
67. (27 September 2016). "Soha Ali Khan says '31st October' is a landmark film for her".
68. (7 May 2015). "Soha enjoyed shooting 'Ghayal Once Again'".
69. Singh, Mohnish. (3 October 2017). "Soha Ali Khan to resume work in December with Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3! - Eastern Eye". Eastern Eye.
70. (30 November 2022). "Nushrratt Bharuccha starts filming for 'Chhorii 2', Soha Ali Khan joins cast". PTI.
71. (25 August 2025). "Soha Ali Khan: Collaborating with R Madhavan after 20 years". Cinema Express.
72. (23 December 2021). "Kaun Banegi Shikharwati trailer: This dysfunctional royal family is a hoot". [[The Indian Express]].
73. Das, Tina. (22 September 2022). "Juhi Chawla to Soha Ali Khan, 'Hush Hush' has a stellar cast. But a sketchy murder plot". [[ThePrint]].
74. IndiaFM News Bureau. (10 December 2006). "G.I.F.A. Awards 2006: List of winners".
75. "The 2007 IIFA Awards".
76. "bfjaawards.com".
77. (25 February 2007). "Rang De Basanti sweeps Filmfare awards". The Times of India.
78. (24 January 2007). "Max Stardust Awards Nominations".
79. "4TH APSARA PRODUCERS GUILD AWARDS NOMINEES".
80. (21 December 2018). "Shashi Tharoor, Ruskin Bond, Soha Ali Khan win big at 16th Crossword Book Award".
81. Achievers Showcase. "Meet Our Achievers".