The Pataudi Playbook for Peace
Saif Ali Khan opened up about his relationship with Kareena Kapoor Khan, admitting that like any couple, they have their share of arguments. He revealed the surprising, yet effective, piece of advice he received from his late father, cricketing legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, on handling marital fights.
Recalling a conversation, Saif revealed he once asked his father about his strategy during arguments with his wife, Sharmila Tagore. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s response was refreshingly simple:”He told me, ‘I just think about playing cricket or something during the argument. And I don’t say anything.’ He said, ‘Listen.’ Looks like you’re listening.”
Essentially, the advice boiled down to selective listening and staying silent—a humorous, if slightly provocative, method for de-escalation. The key takeaway seemed to be maintaining an outwardly calm demeanor while your partner vents.
Akshay Kumar’s Water-and-Fire Strategy
Akshay Kumar, a fellow veteran of a long-standing Bollywood marriage, wholeheartedly agreed with the underlying sentiment of keeping calm. He offered his own analogy for his dynamic with Twinkle Khanna, characterizing their relationship as a classic ‘fire and water’ pairing.
“She [Twinkle] is fire. I am water,” Akshay stated. He described Twinkle as someone who freely expresses her thoughts and feelings, while his role is to remain composed.
Akshay emphasized the crucial importance of being a good listener in a marriage: “She says whatever she wants to. I just keep myself calm and quiet. Just listen and try to understand what she’s trying to say.” He concluded with a universal piece of marital wisdom: “Do whatever you want, but listen. I think every husband should be a good listener.”
Saif and Kareena: A Timeline of Romance
The conversation naturally touched upon the actor’s personal lives. Saif Ali Khan’s romance with Kareena Kapoor blossomed on the sets of the 2007 film Tashan. Their relationship quickly became one of Bollywood’s most celebrated pairings, culminating in their marriage on October 16, 2012, in Mumbai. They are parents to two sons, Taimur Ali Khan (born in 2016) and Jehangir Ali Khan (born in 2021).
Prior to his marriage to Kareena, Saif was married to actor Amrita Singh from 1991 to 2004. They have two children, actors Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan.
What’s Next for Saif and Akshay?
On the professional front, Saif Ali Khan was recently seen in the Netflix film Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, which also starred Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta. Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, the film premiered on April 25.
Fans will also be excited to hear that both Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar will reunite on screen in director Priyadarshan’s upcoming film, Haiwaan, which also features Saiyami Kher.
