She had it all — And gave it up: The untold story of Amrita Singh

Amrita Singh's maternal grandmother was the sister of Begum Abida Ahmed, wife of former Indian President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. But even more surprisingly, through her mother, Rukhsana Sultana — a controversial political figure during the Emergency — Amrita is distantly related to Nawab of Pataudi's extended family and has ancestral ties to Pakistan's ruling elite.

Though born into a Sikh-Muslim family, Amrita officially converted to Islam before marrying Saif Ali Khan in 1991. Their marriage stirred media frenzy not just for the 12-year age gap but also for her complete withdrawal from acting soon after.

At a time when she was ruling the box office with hits like Betaab, Chameli Ki Shaadi, and Mard, Amrita stunned the industry by walking away from the spotlight to focus on her marriage and children. This decision drastically changed the trajectory of her otherwise blazing career.

After a long hiatus, Amrita returned not as a heroine but as a strong character actor, often playing bold, villainous, or layered roles — notably in Kalyug, 2 States, and Badla. Her performances often outshone the leads, proving she had lost none of her fire.

Despite being one of the most outspoken actresses of her era, Amrita has become extremely private. She avoids media appearances and social events, preferring a life of quiet dignity, focused on her children, Sara and Ibrahim Ali Khan, rarely giving interviews or discussing her personal life publicly.