Saba Ali Khan reveals why Sharmila Tagore converted to Islam before marrying Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Actor Sharmila Tagore's decision to convert to Islam before marrying former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was linked to the religious customs and family traditions surrounding their union, their younger daughter Saba Ali Khan has said. In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Saba explained that the conversion was considered necessary for the marriage to receive formal recognition within her father's family.

Sharmila adopted the name Ayesha after converting when she married Mansoor, popularly known as Tiger Pataudi. Their relationship and wedding attracted considerable public attention, while her conversion became a subject of controversy. The couple also reportedly faced death threats following their marriage.

Why Sharmila Tagore converted before marrying Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Explaining her mother's decision, Saba said conversion was considered a requirement under the customs and prevailing system of the time. She suggested that it also had implications for the formal recognition of the marriage and the legitimacy of the children.


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Saba said the decision was not treated as an optional choice in the circumstances surrounding the marriage. When asked why it was necessary, she pointed to the religious requirements and family traditions applicable to a Muslim man marrying someone from another faith.

She also indicated that her paternal grandmother, Mansoor's mother, would not have accepted the marriage otherwise. According to Saba, conversion was necessary for the union to be acknowledged within the family.

Did conversion affect Sharmila Tagore's acting career?

Saba said her mother's conversion did not diminish her professional identity or interfere with her acting career. She described Mansoor as liberal in his outlook and said he never imposed restrictions on Sharmila after their marriage.

She added that neither Mansoor nor his family insisted that the actor change her name in her passport or other official documents, allowing her to retain her professional identity.

Saba said the conversion did not take away from her mother's personality or career.

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What Saba Ali Khan said about religion and her upbringing

Speaking about the family's approach to faith, Saba said religion was never imposed on the children. While she follows Islam, like her father, she said her family celebrated festivals across religious traditions, including Holi, Diwali and Eid.

She added that both her parents gave their children the freedom to develop their own beliefs and follow their individual paths.