‘He would not speak. It was confidence’: Saif Ali Khan on dad Tiger Pataudi’s private personality. Actor shares how his silence ‘exasperated’ mom Sharmila Tagore

Saif Ali Khan, whose latest film Kartavya premiered on Netflix on May 15, recently flew down to Kolkata to honour his late father, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, better known as Tiger Pataudi, at the 12th edition of the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture 2026. The prestigious event, also attended by seasoned English cricketer Sir Ian Botham, was held at GD Birla Sabhaghar on May 19. During the candid conversation, Saif talked fondly about his dad, sharing certain personal anecdotes about the former India captain.

At one moment, Saif Ali Khan opened up about Tiger Pataudi’s reserved nature and how he would love to keep to himself at parties and social gatherings, a trait which his mother, the evergreen actress Sharmila Tagore, did not always approve of.

Saif Ali Khan on father Tiger Pataudi’s quiet but confident side

Saif Ali Khan revealed that Tiger Pataudi ‘rarely spoke about anything’, let alone speaking about his achievements, as per a report by The Indian Express. The actor said that Sharmila Tagore would sometimes be ‘exasperated’ by his father’s behaviour, especially at get-togethers and dinners, where Tiger Pataudi refrained from speaking, simply because no one asked him to share anything.

Saif Ali Khan, however, viewed his father’s quietness less as introversion and more as a ‘brand of confidence’. The actor added that Tiger Pataudi had immense self-belief, even instilling this positive quality among Indian players ‘who had never before been told they could dominate world cricket’. Back in his time, when everyone expected Indian teams to merely participate, Pataudi was the one who pushed the players to compete and win. ‘That massive change of mindset, I think, was one of his great contributions,’ noted Saif, as quoted by Wion News.

More about Tiger Pataudi

Admiring Tiger Pataudi’s unique character, Saif Ali Khan shared that even though his father was a man of very few words, he somehow managed to say things that actually mattered. When Tiger Pataudi lost his vision in his right eye after a car accident in 1961, he came to terms with the disability pretty quickly. What drove him to move forward was his belief that he simply had to adjust to the problem and maybe work a little harder than before.

Perhaps that is what defined him most. Not brilliance alone, but composure,’ noted Saif Ali Khan, adding that Tiger Pataudi’s idea of leadership was never about commanding attention, but always about earning trust by being open and being fair to everyone. In fact, everyone at their house, including cousins, drivers, staff, and gardeners, played cricket as the sport had become a kind of ‘equalizer’ under Tiger Pataudi’s influence. Tiger Pataudi passed away in 2011. He was 70.

Saif Ali Khan’s upcoming projects

Coming to Saif Ali Khan, the actor will next be seen in Haiwaan alongside Akshay Kumar. The film, directed by Priyadarshan, also features a special appearance by Malayalam star Mohanlal, who headlined the original movie Oppam, as per a report by the Times of India. Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar are expected to play ley roles as well.