Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has opened up about the emotional and psychological aftermath of the January 2025 knife attack at his Mumbai residence, revealing a touching detail about how his younger son Jeh responded to the traumatic incident. Speaking on Koffee with Karan, Saif shared that Jeh, who witnessed parts of the confrontation, handed his father a plastic sword and urged him to use it if a similar situation arose.

Jeh's Innocent Response to the Attack

Saif Ali Khan recalled the heartfelt moment with visible emotion. Jeh, who was very young at the time, watched some of the confrontation unfold and emerged from it viewing his father as an invincible protector. “Jeh gave me his plastic sword and said, ‘Next time that thief comes, use this.’ For a couple of months after that, he kind of kept the plastic sword with me... So, the whole thing happened in front of him, the fight and all and he thinks I am a great protector. He thinks I am Iron Man,” Saif said. The anecdote underlines how even a terrifying episode was filtered through a child’s imagination into something reassuring.

What Happened During the Attack

The attack took place in January 2025 when an intruder broke into Saif and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s home in Mumbai. Saif sustained multiple stab injuries, including wounds to his neck and back, before being rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Recounting the incident on the show, Saif said the most alarming moment was not his own injuries but the sight of the attacker standing over his young son. “There were cuts on my neck, I felt there was something in my back, and I had all these injuries from the fall. I was injured and he was fine,” he said. He added that the attacker stabbed him approximately ten times, and that a “Hindi cinema instinct” prompted him to fight back. “There was a sense of outrage that he was standing over my son with a knife,” Saif recalled.

The Confrontation and Kareena’s Intervention

Following the initial clash, Saif and his household help Hari reportedly attempted to arm themselves with decorative swords mounted on the wall, preparing to go back downstairs in case there were more intruders. However, Kareena Kapoor Khan intervened decisively. “But when we were going down with the swords to confront him again, Kareena said, ‘Don’t be silly. Get in the lift. We have to get you to a hospital,’” Saif recalled. Kareena added that by that point he was bleeding heavily and struggling to walk, while the attacker was also visibly injured.

Lasting Impact on the Family

Kareena Kapoor Khan revealed on the same episode that the incident left a deep psychological mark on her, sharing that she struggled to sleep for around six months after the attack. Karan Johar, the host, also noted that he had to explain the situation to his own children, with his son expressing concern for Taimur. The episode underscores how the ripple effects of the attack extended well beyond the night itself, touching the broader social circle of the family.

Saif’s Takeaway on Safety

Reflecting on the experience, Saif said it fundamentally changed his perspective on personal security. “People should be careful. I am sorry to say that in today’s world, but a little bit of security is probably required because I think the world is slightly more unsafe than it was when we were younger,” he said. The actor’s remarks resonate with a broader conversation in India about the security arrangements available to public figures, particularly in densely populated urban settings like Mumbai. As the interview airs, the family appears to have channelled the trauma into openness — and perhaps a renewed sense of resilience.