Saba Pataudi says mother Sharmila Tagore guided them in Islam

Saba Pataudi has said that her mother, actor Sharmila Tagore, converted to Islam after marrying former cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and guided her children in the faith. In a conversation with the YouTube channel Big Bollywood Buff, Saba revealed that there was no practice of Hinduism at home, and her mother taught them about Islam, Ramzan and other aspects of the religion.

Saba added that faith is personal and cannot be imposed. She said she feels connected to her faith but respects other religions, and the family celebrates Christmas, Diwali and Holi. Her siblings are in interfaith marriages and do not follow any religion strictly.

Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan married in December 1969 after a four-year courtship, overcoming opposition from both families. The couple had three children: Saif Ali Khan, Saba and Soha Ali Khan. They remained married for 42 years until Mansoor Ali Khan's death in 2011.