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Soha Ali Khan

Soha Ali Khan at Jaypore store launch in Bandra
Soha Ali Khan at Jaypore store launch in Bandra Image: Wikimedia Commons. Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Soha Ali Khan Pataudi Khemu (née Khan Pataudi; born 4 October 1978) is an Indian actress and author who has worked in Hindi, Bengali, and English language films. She made her screen debut with the romantic comedy Dil Maange More (2004) and is best known for her performances in the drama Rang De Basanti (2006) and the romance Ahista Ahista (2006). In 2017, she published a memoir titled The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, which won the Crossword Book Award in 2018.

Key facts

Full name Soha Ali Khan Pataudi Khemu
Born 4 October 1978
Occupation Actress, author
Languages of work Hindi, Bengali, English
Parents Sharmila Tagore (mother); Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (father)
Sibling Saif Ali Khan (elder brother)
Debut film Dil Maange More (2004)
Notable book The Perils of Being Moderately Famous (2017)
Major literary award Crossword Book Award (2018)

Background

Soha is the younger daughter of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and former India cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan, of the erstwhile princely lineage associated with Bhopal and Pataudi. She is the younger sister of Hindi film actor Saif Ali Khan, placing her within one of Indian cinema and sport's most prominent families.

Career

Film debut and early work

Soha began her acting career in 2004 with the Hindi romantic comedy Dil Maange More. She subsequently took up roles across Hindi, Bengali, and English-language productions.

Breakthrough roles

In 2006, she appeared in two films that came to define her early career: the ensemble political drama Rang De Basanti, and the romance Ahista Ahista. Both performances brought her wider recognition in Hindi cinema.

Writing

In 2017, Soha authored The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, a memoir reflecting on her family, upbringing, and experiences in the film industry. The book received the Crossword Book Award in 2018.

Significance

As a member of the Pataudi–Tagore family, Soha Ali Khan represents a continuity of cultural presence across Indian cinema, literature, and cricket. Her multilingual filmography and her crossover into authorship illustrate the broader trend of Hindi film actors engaging with publishing and non-fiction writing.

References