Soha Ali Khan reveals father Tiger Pataudi was screaming in hospital corridors thinking it was a boy at her birth: ‘They would’ve invested in me as a bowler'

Soha Ali Khan has always been surrounded by a legacy of excellence — her mother, Sharmila Tagore, is a celebrated actress, while her late father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, known to the cricketing world as Tiger Pataudi, was one of India's most revered cricketers. He retired before Soha’s birth in 1978, and in a recent interview, Soha shared how excited he had been at the time of her birth, thinking the baby would be a boy.

In a recent conversation with News18 Showsha, Soha recalled a light-hearted moment from the day she was born. “When I was born, I think my father was screaming in the corridors, ‘We’ll make him a fast bowler.’ But later, when it was discovered that it was a girl, there weren’t many opportunities for girls in cricket, unlike today. Perhaps they would’ve invested in me as a bowler then,” she recounted with a smile.

While Soha didn’t pursue cricket, she developed an interest in sports — particularly badminton. She admitted she never formally trained in cricket but has always had good reflexes.


Physical fitness has long been a priority in the Pataudi household. Soha mentioned that staying fit is not about appearance but about self-reliance — something both she and her husband, Kunal Kemmu, want to instil in their daughter Inaaya from a young age. “Often, we want our girls to be good and our boys to be strong. But we want her to be physically strong, so that she doesn’t feel the need for someone else to protect her. Even to the point that if someone makes her feel unsafe, she should feel, ‘I have the strength to fight back.’ Even though we may be physically the weaker sex — and that’s why we become soft targets in so many ways — the idea is to be mentally strong as well,” Soha expressed.
She also shared how baffled her daughter would be to learn that societal preference for sons still exists. Soha entered the film industry in 2004, following in her mother’s footsteps, and also authored a memoir titled The Perils of Being Moderately Famous. Soha Ali Khan was recently seen in 'Chhorii 2' which is a horror film directed by Vishal Furia and the script penned by Divya Prakash Dubey, Vishal Furia, and Ajit Jagtap. ETimes review for the film reads, "Where Chhorii had a horrifying scene featuring countless dead infants inside a well, there’s an equally distressing scenario with young brides in the second part. It deepens the themes explored in the first film while raising the stakes both emotionally and thematically. A socially charged horror tale packed with unnerving visuals and strong performances makes this a gripping watch—relevant and haunting."

She played the role of Daasi Maa, a vampire cult head. The film premiered on April 11, 2025, on OTT and received attention for its unique horror elements and social themes.

Soha Ali Khan’s journey from the iconic Pataudi legacy to carving out her own path in the entertainment industry is inspiring. Her reflections on the importance of physical fitness, mental strength, and the desire to instil these values in her daughter highlight her progressive mindset. As a mother and actress, Soha continues to break stereotypes, reminding us of the enduring need to challenge societal norms.

Talking about her cinematic journey, Soha is known not just for her roles in fun, commercial films but also for her work in serious and meaningful cinema. She impressed audiences with her performances in movies like Rang De Basanti and Mumbai Meri Jaan, where she played emotional and powerful roles. These films showed her ability to handle intense characters with depth. That’s why she seems like a perfect fit for the role of a Sikhni in 31st October, a film based on the events after Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
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