Saba Pataudi joins Akhtar family in London for cinema conversation
Synopsis
Saba Pataudi's London week brought her face-to-face with the Akhtar family at a rare cross-generational conversation on cinema and poetry — the first time Javed, Farhan, and Zoya shared a public stage outside India. She also teased her debut podcast, signalling a new chapter beyond her social media presence.
Key Takeaways
Saba Pataudi shared pictures from her London trip on 20 July , featuring the Akhtar family .
She attended 'Baat: A Conversation with the Akhtars,' held on 14 July at SOAS, University of London , organised by NISAU UK .
It was the first time Javed Akhtar , Farhan Akhtar , and Zoya Akhtar appeared together for a public conversation outside India.
Farhan Akhtar recited lines from his poems featured in 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' during the event.
Javed , Farhan , and Shibani Akhtar also attended the Wimbledon finals at the All England Club .
Saba teased her debut podcast with Big Bollywood Buffs , set to release soon.
Saba Pataudi shared a glimpse of her London week on Monday, 20 July, posting pictures alongside the Akhtar family — including veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar. The carousel of moments, shared on social media, captured Saba beaming beside the celebrated family during what she described as an engaging session centred on cinema, storytelling, and poetry.
What Saba Said
Sharing the pictures, Saif Ali Khan's sister wrote: 'My week.....in london Friends and incredible talent Mahsha'Allah... loved being present during an engaging session of conversation on movies and more....A little poetry too. Organised by @nisau_uk Moments captured. Events with friends and this that n a lot of other! Last but not least.. my first podcast with @bigbollywoodbuffs soon to release! A little teaser .... look out for the entire episode...soon!.'
The post also featured a video of Farhan Akhtar reciting popular lines from his well-known poems that featured in the film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' — a nostalgic moment for fans of the cult road-trip drama.
The Akhtar Family's London Event
The backdrop to Saba's London visit was a landmark cultural event titled 'Baat: A Conversation with the Akhtars,' held on 14 July at SOAS, University of London. The evening marked the first time Javed, Farhan, and Zoya came together for a public conversation outside India, exploring their family's rich cinematic legacy, the world of Urdu poetry, and their individual journeys within the Indian film industry.
Notably, the event was organised by NISAU UK, bringing together one of Bollywood's most storied families before a London audience. The conversation drew attention not just for its star power but for its depth — spanning decades of storytelling that has shaped Hindi cinema.
Wimbledon and Other Highlights
Beyond the cultural event, Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar also attended the Wimbledon finals at the All England Club during their London stay, adding a sporting footnote to what was a packed week in the British capital.
Podcast Teaser
Saba also hinted at her forthcoming debut podcast with Big Bollywood Buffs, promising a teaser ahead of the full episode's release. The announcement signals a growing presence for Saba — known for her candid social media voice — in the digital content space. The episode is expected to release soon, according to her post.
Point of View
Not just star appearances. The Akhtar family, spanning three generations of writers, directors, and performers, is one of the few Bollywood dynasties whose legacy holds up to serious scrutiny. That this was their first such joint appearance outside India underscores how underexplored the diaspora circuit remains for India's cultural institutions. Saba Pataudi's presence — and her forthcoming podcast — also points to a quieter but steady shift: film families leveraging personal brand equity in the digital content economy, on their own terms.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Saba Pataudi meet in London?
Saba Pataudi met veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar during her London trip. She attended the 'Baat: A Conversation with the Akhtars' event held on 14 July at SOAS, University of London.
What was the 'Baat: A Conversation with the Akhtars' event?
It was a public cultural event organised by NISAU UK at SOAS, University of London on 14 July, where Javed, Farhan, and Zoya Akhtar came together to discuss their family's cinematic legacy, poetry, and individual journeys in Indian cinema. It was the first time the three appeared jointly for such a conversation outside India.
What did Farhan Akhtar do at the London event?
Farhan Akhtar recited popular lines from his poems that featured in the film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' during the London event, drawing on one of Bollywood's most beloved road-trip films.
Did the Akhtar family attend Wimbledon?
Yes, Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Akhtar attended the Wimbledon finals at the All England Club during their London visit.
What is Saba Pataudi's upcoming podcast about?
Saba Pataudi teased her debut podcast with Big Bollywood Buffs in her London post, though specific details about the episode's content have not been disclosed. She indicated the full episode would release soon.
