Saif Ali Khan has opened up about raising his children with an inclusive approach to religion, revealing that discussions about faith are a regular part of family life. Born to legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, popularly known as Tiger Pataudi, and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, Saif hails from an interfaith family. He himself later had two interfaith marriages—first to Amrita Singh, with whom he has two children, and later to Kareena Kapoor, with whom he has sons Taimur Ali Khan and Jahangir Ali Khan.Speaking at the London edition of We the Women, Saif said that he enjoys discussing religion with his children, although he admitted that he himself is not deeply religious.“It’s a conversation I like to have with them. Because I’m not the most religious myself. My mother taught me, and I have taught my children, that there is one God and that He has many names. It’s as simple as that. You worship him in different places. And if your religion says to love and forgive your fellow men, that’s it,” said Saif.
I remember growing up praying to different religions
The actor also reflected on his own childhood, saying he was exposed to different religions while attending a Christian school.“I grew up in churches, schools that started with being in chapel. I tried to bunk it because I was of a different religion, and then they had a cleric come and talk to us. It didn’t work,” Saif recalls with a laugh.“But it was quite a Christian upbringing. The kids would say prayers, then other religions. They would celebrate Christmas like Diwali. That’s the kind of upbringing I had. I never really thought about it. It’s intuitive,” he added.
Saif shares Taimur’s thoughtful answer on religion
Saif also shared a recent conversation with his nine-year-old son Taimur Ali Khan that impressed him.“I asked him, ‘What is the difference between religion and method?'” Saif said.According to the actor, Taimur replied, “In religion we pray and in manners we don’t.” Calling it “a good answer”, Saif added, “So, we are constantly talking about these things. I’m lucky that I didn’t grow up like that. My mother was open-minded about these things, and so was my wife. It’s more of a spiritual approach.”
