Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and senior actress Amrita Singh were once among the most talked-about couples in the film industry. Their relationship grabbed headlines not only because of their 12-year age gap but also due to their interfaith marriage, family resistance, and the controversies that followed their separation. Even years after their divorce, new details about their marriage continue to spark curiosity.
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan’s Interfaith Marriage
Amrita Singh comes from a diverse background. Her mother, Rukhsana Sultana, was a Muslim social worker, while her father, Shivinder Singh Virk, was a Punjabi Jat Sikh and an army officer. Saif Ali Khan, on the other hand, belongs to the royal Pataudi family. His father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was a legendary cricketer, and his mother, Sharmila Tagore, is one of Hindi cinema’s most respected actresses.
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan
Interestingly, after marrying Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore converted to Islam and reportedly changed her name. However, when Saif married Amrita, he later clarified that he never forced her to convert or follow any specific religious practices. In an interview, Saif revealed that his mother, Sharmila Tagore, was unhappy with their relationship and strongly advised him against marriage. She believed that while the relationship might work, marriage would bring complications, especially due to age, background, and religion.
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan
Renowned designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla later revealed that Saif and Amrita suddenly informed them that they wanted to get married, and the ceremony took place at a friend’s apartment. A Maulvi and a Sikh priest were both present, reflecting the couple’s interfaith union. Amrita reportedly wore whatever clothes she had available and adorned herself with her mother’s jewelry.
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan
During the nikah, the Maulvi asked for a name beginning with the letter “A,” leading to her being called “Aziza.” Abu and Sandeep signed as witnesses at the wedding. In past interviews, Saif Ali Khan firmly stated that he never forced Amrita Singh to convert to Islam. He shared that Amrita regularly visited the Gurudwara, while he took care of the children at home. Even after the birth of Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, Saif maintained that religion was never imposed.
Amrita Singh And Saif Ali Khan
Saif also expressed confidence that Amrita would never influence their children in a restrictive manner. Later, Amrita reportedly told Sara that she is an Indian first and believes in all religions, reinforcing a secular upbringing. After 13 years of marriage, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh separated in 2004. Their divorce turned bitter, with both sides making serious allegations. In a 2005 interview, Amrita accused Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan of abuse and claimed that Saif had an extramarital affair.