What is the story about?
For nearly twenty-five years, a quiet legal battle simmered in Bhopal over a stretch of land that carried far more weight than its acreage suggested. In
early 2026, that dispute finally tilted in favour of Bollywood actor and Nawab of Pataudi Saif Ali Khan, his mother Sharmila Tagore, and his sisters. A district court dismissed a rival claim over 16.62 acres of ancestral land in Nayapura, observing that the petitioners had failed to produce any credible documentary proof and had approached the court after an unexplained delay of decades. The ruling effectively reaffirmed the Pataudi family’s ownership of the land, bringing temporary closure to one of the many inheritance disputes tied to Bhopal’s former royal estate. The verdict matters because it reopens public curiosity about how a modern film star is linked to one of India’s most powerful princely states, how palaces became hotels, how royal land ended up in courtrooms, and why Saif Ali Khan’s name still appears in property cases long after the end of the monarchy. To understand the win, one has to trace the family, generation by generation.
Grandmother Sajida Sultan, Bhopal Royalty and the Inheritance That Started It All
Saif Ali Khan’s claim to Bhopal begins with his grandmother Sajida Sultan, the second daughter of Nawab Hamidullah Khan, the last ruling Nawab of the princely state of Bhopal. When her elder sister Abida Sultan migrated to Pakistan in 1950, Sajida Sultan was recognised as the successor under the Bhopal Succession to the Throne Act of 1947.
Her inheritance included palaces, bungalows and vast tracts of land around Bhopal. These assets later became the subject of competing claims under Muslim Personal Law, as well as scrutiny under the Enemy Property Act. Sajida Sultan’s position as the recognised successor is the legal foundation on which Saif Ali Khan’s Bhopal inheritance rests today.
Grandfather Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, Cricket, Nobility and the Birth of Pataudi Palace
Saif’s paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, was a rare figure who moved seamlessly between British aristocracy, Indian royalty and international cricket. In the 1930s, he commissioned the Pataudi Palace in Haryana as a grand residence for his wife, Sajida Sultan. Designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell, the palace fused colonial symmetry with Mughal sensibility. The estate was never just a home. It was intended as a lasting symbol of the Pataudi lineage, something that would outlive titles and political change.
Father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Tiger of Indian Cricket and Heir to the Palace
The palace passed to Saif’s father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, better known as Tiger Pataudi, one of India’s youngest and most charismatic cricket captains. Under Mansoor, the palace remained the family seat but also adapted to modern realities. In the mid 2000s, he leased it to a heritage hotel group, turning it into a luxury destination while retaining ownership.
After Mansoor’s death in 2011, Saif Ali Khan famously bought back the palace from the hotel chain. In interviews, he described it not as inherited wealth but as a purchase funded by years of film work, a detail that has since become part of Bollywood folklore.
Mother Sharmila Tagore, Cinema, Culture and the Begum of Pataudi
Sharmila Tagore brought cinematic prestige into the family. A celebrated actor and former CBFC chairperson, she became Begum of Pataudi after Mansoor’s death and has since been a steady public presence for the family.
During the Bhopal land dispute, she stood alongside her children as a co-claimant. According to The Financial Express and NDTV, her involvement added both legal weight and public attention to the case, reinforcing that this was not merely a property fight but a question of inheritance and history.
Saif Ali Khan, From Chote Nawab to Bollywood Royalty
Born Sajid Ali Khan, Saif built a career that deliberately balanced privilege with reinvention. Over three decades in Hindi cinema, he has combined commercial hits with critically acclaimed roles while also producing films and investing in sport and lifestyle ventures. His royal title, once considered a curiosity, has increasingly become part of serious legal and financial discussions as ancestral assets come under scrutiny.
Saif Ali Khan Sisters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan, Public Life and Private Legacy
Saif’s sisters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan, play different but equally important roles. Soha balances acting, writing and public engagement, often sharing moments from Pataudi Palace. Saba, a jewellery designer, is known for managing family archives and quietly safeguarding the historical record. Both were beneficiaries in the Bhopal inheritance line.
Noor-Us-Sabah Palace Bhopal, Heritage Hotel and Legal Flashpoint
The Noor-Us-Sabah Palace in Bhopal is among the most visible symbols of the family’s Bhopal connection. Built in the 1920s and overlooking the Upper Lake, it blends Mughal and European architecture and today operates as a luxury heritage hotel. Linked historically to the Bhopal royal estate, the palace has faced ownership complications under the Enemy Property Act due to migrations during Partition. While the palace functions smoothly as a hotel, its historical ownership remains intertwined with the broader legal narrative surrounding the Pataudi family.
Pataudi Palace Haryana, 150 Rooms, 10 Acres and a Rs 800 Crore Valuation
The Pataudi Palace, also known as Ibrahim Kothi, remains the family’s crown jewel. Spread across nearly ten acres with around 150 rooms, it includes billiards halls, libraries, formal dining rooms and sprawling gardens. According to The Financial Express, the palace is valued at approximately Rs 800 crore.
Beyond numbers, it houses the graves of Saif’s ancestors and has appeared in several major film productions, adding to its cultural currency.
Satguru Sharan Bandra, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Rs 100 Crore Mumbai Home
Saif Ali Khan’s primary residence is a four storey home at Satguru Sharan in Bandra, Mumbai. Designed by Darshini Shah, the house includes a private library, gym, expansive terraces and carefully curated art. The property is valued at around Rs 100 crore and represents the family’s modern urban base.
Other Mumbai Properties and Investment Apartments
Before moving into Satguru Sharan, Saif lived in an apartment at Fortune Heights in Bandra and continues to hold investment units in premium Mumbai buildings. These properties are often leased, forming part of his steady real estate income.
Gstaad Chalet Switzerland, A Private European Retreat
Away from India, Saif Ali Khan owns a chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. Used as a holiday home, it offers privacy and alpine isolation, a contrast to the public nature of his Indian residences.
Bhopal Ancestral Lands and the 16.62 Acre Case Win
The recent court victory centred on 16.62 acres of ancestral land in Nayapura, Bhopal. The district court dismissed rival claims, citing lack of evidence and excessive delay. According to The Financial Express, the ruling reaffirmed the Pataudi family’s claim and effectively closed a dispute that had lingered since 1998.
Saif Ali Khan Cars, Luxury SUVs, Supercars and Muscle Machines
Saif Ali Khan’s car collection reflects both restraint and indulgence. It includes a Range Rover Vogue, Mercedes Benz S Class, Audi R8, Lexus LX470, Land Rover Defender, Lexus ES300h and a Ford Mustang GT. The garage at Pataudi Palace often doubles as a visual reminder that royalty today comes with horsepower.
Saif Ali Khan Net Worth: Rs 1,200 Crore and the Cost of Maintaining Royalty
According to The Financial Express, Saif Ali Khan’s estimated net worth stands at around Rs 1,200 crore. The figure accounts for films, endorsements, production ventures, investments, real estate and inherited assets. Yet, as Saif himself has acknowledged in interviews, maintaining heritage properties is expensive, emotionally rewarding, and financially demanding.
