The Great Food Divide
During an appearance on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show', Kareena Kapoor playfully exposed the culinary differences between her family, the Kapoors, and Saif's family, the Pataudis. While discussing food habits, she turned to Saif and said, 'Lauki (bottle
gourd) is your favourite vegetable too'. Saif sheepishly admitted, 'Yes, but I don't like saying it'. Kareena went on to reveal that the entire Pataudi clan, including his mother Sharmila Tagore and sisters Soha and Saba, regularly enjoy lauki. She contrasted this with her own family's preferences, joking, 'Hum paaya khaane wale hai yaar (We are people who eat mutton paya)... Kapoors and Pataudis are on the opposite ends. They are too healthy'. This light-hearted comment gives a fascinating glimpse into the home life of one of Bollywood’s most-watched couples, where royal tastes are simpler than one might imagine.
The Nawab's Simple Palate
The revelation is charmingly at odds with Saif Ali Khan’s public persona. Known for his sophisticated style, elite education, and global travels, one might expect his favourite food to be something more along the lines of French cuisine or rare delicacies. In interviews, he has listed high-end restaurants in Paris, London, and New York as his favourites. Yet, his go-to comfort food is a simple vegetable often relegated to the sidelines of Indian cuisine. This preference isn't entirely new. Saif has previously mentioned that he prefers simple, home-cooked meals, often consisting of dal, roti, and sabzi. He reportedly opts for a vegetarian lunch and keeps his meals light and balanced, a discipline that helps him stay fit. This love for lauki fits perfectly within his established preference for healthy, unfussy food, proving that even a Nawab can appreciate the basics.
In Defence of the Humble Lauki
While Saif might be shy about his love for lauki, Kareena has championed it as a 'superpower' vegetable. In a 2023 interview, she called it extremely gut-friendly, mentioning she often turns to lauki soup or sabzi when feeling unwell. And she’s right. Bottle gourd, or lauki, is packed with health benefits. It is over 90% water, making it incredibly hydrating and easy to digest. Low in calories and rich in fibre, it's an excellent food for weight management as it helps you feel full for longer. The vegetable is also a good source of Vitamin C, B, and potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure. Ayurvedic tradition values lauki for its cooling properties, making it ideal for hot weather and for soothing the digestive system. So, while it may not be the most glamorous vegetable, its nutritional profile is certainly worthy of a spot on any dinner table, even a royal one.
A Glimpse into the Pataudi Kitchen
The couple's differing food philosophies make for an interesting dynamic. While Saif enjoys his simple lauki, he is also an avid meat eater with a known fondness for tandoori chicken and biryani. Kareena, on the other hand, has been largely vegetarian for years, preferring simple Indian meals like dal rice and vegetables. However, she also admits to loving her pizzas and more indulgent foods, which aligns with the hearty Kapoor family tradition of enjoying rich dishes like paya. Despite these differences, they find common ground in their shared love for home cooked food and a disciplined approach to health. Saif is known to be so committed to his diet that he often carries food from home to film sets. This shared commitment to a healthy lifestyle even with their different tastes seems to be a cornerstone of their family life.
