Amitabh Bachchan reveals Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother drove a Jaguar in Delhi
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan did more than quiz Sara Ali Khan on KBC — he handed her a piece of family history she didn't know. His first-hand memory of her great-grandmother Sajida Sultan, an elderly Bhopal royal, driving a white open-air Jaguar through Delhi with 'great pride and elegance' is a rare window into the Pataudi family's quietly extraordinary world.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother, Sajida Sultan , drove a white open-air Jaguar in Delhi .
Sajida Sultan was the mother of legendary cricketer and India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi) and hailed from Bhopal .
Bachchan said he personally witnessed Sajida Sultan driving the car, adding authenticity to the anecdote.
Sara Ali Khan said she had no prior knowledge of the story, visibly surprised by the revelation.
Bachchan also complimented the Pataudi family's eyes, calling them distinctively beautiful across generations.
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has shared a little-known piece of the Pataudi family history on the popular quiz-based reality show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', revealing that Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother, Sajida Sultan, used to drive a white open-air Jaguar through the streets of Delhi — at a time when women behind the wheel were an extraordinary rarity.
The Anecdote That Surprised Sara
During a candid conversation with Sara Ali Khan on the show, Bachchan recalled a vivid personal memory of Sajida Sultan, the mother of legendary cricketer and India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi — famously known as Tiger Pataudi. Sajida Sultan, who hailed from Bhopal, was reportedly quite elderly at the time, yet she navigated Delhi's roads in her white open-air Jaguar with striking poise.
Bachchan said, 'Tiger ki matashri jo ki Bhopal ki thi, kaafi vriddhavastha mein thi us zamane mein, wo ek white color ki open-air Jaguar gaadi chalati thi Delhi mein aur bade shaan se baith ke chalati thi..' — which translates to: 'Tiger's mother, who belonged to Bhopal, was quite elderly at the time, yet she used to drive a white open-air Jaguar in Delhi, sitting behind the wheel and driving with great pride and elegance.'
Sara, visibly surprised, responded: 'Nahi maloom…' (I didn't know). Bachchan added with warmth, 'Maine dekha hai unko..' (I have seen her).
A Royal Family's Legacy
The Pataudi family carries a legacy that spans royalty, cricket, and Hindi cinema. The late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi remains one of India's most celebrated cricket captains, known for leading the national team with distinction despite losing sight in one eye. His wife, actress Sharmila Tagore, is widely regarded as one of the finest performers in the history of Hindi cinema. Their son, actor Saif Ali Khan, and his daughter with Kareena Kapoor Khan, as well as Sara from his first marriage, continue the family's presence in Bollywood.
Bachchan's Observation on the Pataudi Eyes
Beyond the Jaguar anecdote, Bachchan also paid an eloquent compliment to the family's distinctive looks, particularly their eyes. He said: 'Aapke parivaar mein jitne bhi chehre hain, un sab ki aankhein bahut sundar. Tiger se lekar ke aaj tak kuch baat hai aapke aankho mein, wo hume bahut pasand hai…' — translating to: 'Everyone in your family has very beautiful eyes. From Tiger to the present generation, there is something special about your eyes, which I like very much.'
Why the Story Resonates
The image of an elderly royal woman confidently driving a luxury open-air car in mid-20th century Delhi is a compelling glimpse into a world where the Pataudi family's aristocratic confidence defied convention. This comes amid renewed public interest in the Pataudi legacy, partly driven by Sara's growing screen presence and her frequent appearances on KBC, where celebrity guests often unlock rarely-told family histories. Notably, Bachchan himself is a living thread connecting multiple eras of Indian cultural life, lending rare first-hand authenticity to the account.
Point of View
Unscripted family lore. Bachchan's first-hand recall of Sajida Sultan navigating Delhi streets in a white open-air Jaguar is more than a charming detail; it underscores how the Pataudi family's royal lineage consistently outran its own public narrative. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is that Sajida Sultan's story sits at the intersection of aristocracy, gender defiance, and post-Partition India — a backdrop that makes the image genuinely historic. For Sara, the moment on national television may well become the most-shared clip of her KBC appearance, illustrating how celebrity ancestry content drives outsized discovery-era engagement.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amitabh Bachchan reveal about Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother on KBC?
Amitabh Bachchan revealed that Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother, Sajida Sultan, used to drive a white open-air Jaguar in Delhi at a time when women driving was extremely rare. He added that he had personally seen her do so, lending first-hand credibility to the account.
Who was Sajida Sultan in relation to Sara Ali Khan?
Sajida Sultan was the mother of legendary Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi), making her Sara Ali Khan's great-grandmother. She was from Bhopal and was associated with the royal Pataudi family lineage.
Where did Amitabh Bachchan share this anecdote about the Pataudi family?
Bachchan shared the anecdote during Sara Ali Khan's appearance on the quiz-based reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). The conversation revealed a little-known chapter of Pataudi family history.
Who are the notable members of the Pataudi family?
The Pataudi family spans royalty, cricket, and cinema. The late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was one of India's greatest cricket captains, while his wife Sharmila Tagore is a celebrated Hindi film actress. Their son Saif Ali Khan and his children, including Sara Ali Khan, continue the family's prominence in Bollywood.
What else did Amitabh Bachchan say about the Pataudi family on KBC?
Beyond the Jaguar story, Bachchan complimented the distinctive eyes shared across the Pataudi family, saying that from Tiger Pataudi to the present generation, there is something special about their eyes that he has always admired.
