Sharmila Tagore converted to Islam when she married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi because it was necessary in those days, reveals Saba Pataudi: 'My grandmother wouldn't have allowed it any other way'
Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore converted to Islam and adopted the name Ayesha when she married legendary cricketer and former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi , fondly known as Tiger Pataudi . The couple's marriage attracted considerable attention at the time, with Sharmila 's conversion becoming a subject of controversy. The two also reportedly received death threats following their wedding.
Years later, the couple's younger daughter, jewellery designer and tarot reader Saba Ali Khan Pataudi, has opened up about her mother's decision to convert. During a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Saba explained that the conversion was necessary for the marriage to be formally recognised under the customs and traditions followed by Mansoor's family. She also suggested that her paternal grandmother would not have approved of the marriage otherwise.
“In those days, conversion was necessary. The children are legitimate because of conversion, which legalised things. It was a necessity and not something one could consider if or not to do,” she shared. When asked why conversion was necessary, Saba explained that it was a requirement from the perspective of the prevailing system and traditions.
She further pointed out that certain religious customs and requirements applied when a Muslim man married someone from another faith. According to Saba, the marriage would not have been accepted or acknowledged within the family if Sharmila had not converted. “My grandmother (Mansoor’s mother) would surely not have allowed it in any other way,” she stated.
Saba also clarified that her mother's conversion did not come in the way of her acting career or professional identity. She said Mansoor was “liberated in his thoughts” and never imposed restrictions on Sharmila after their marriage. According to her, neither Mansoor nor his family insisted that the actor change her name on her passport or other official documents, which could have affected her professional life.
“It didn’t take away from her personality or her profession,” Saba added.
Speaking about the family's religious beliefs and upbringing, Saba revealed that religion was never imposed on the children. While she personally follows Islam, like her father, she said the family celebrated festivals belonging to different faiths, including Holi, Diwali and Eid.
She emphasised that both her parents allowed their children the freedom to follow their individual beliefs and practices. “We were always allowed to follow our own path by both our parents,” Saba noted.
Years later, the couple's younger daughter, jewellery designer and tarot reader Saba Ali Khan Pataudi, has opened up about her mother's decision to convert. During a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Saba explained that the conversion was necessary for the marriage to be formally recognised under the customs and traditions followed by Mansoor's family. She also suggested that her paternal grandmother would not have approved of the marriage otherwise.
“In those days, conversion was necessary. The children are legitimate because of conversion, which legalised things. It was a necessity and not something one could consider if or not to do,” she shared. When asked why conversion was necessary, Saba explained that it was a requirement from the perspective of the prevailing system and traditions.
She further pointed out that certain religious customs and requirements applied when a Muslim man married someone from another faith. According to Saba, the marriage would not have been accepted or acknowledged within the family if Sharmila had not converted. “My grandmother (Mansoor’s mother) would surely not have allowed it in any other way,” she stated.
Saba also clarified that her mother's conversion did not come in the way of her acting career or professional identity. She said Mansoor was “liberated in his thoughts” and never imposed restrictions on Sharmila after their marriage. According to her, neither Mansoor nor his family insisted that the actor change her name on her passport or other official documents, which could have affected her professional life.
“It didn’t take away from her personality or her profession,” Saba added.
Speaking about the family's religious beliefs and upbringing, Saba revealed that religion was never imposed on the children. While she personally follows Islam, like her father, she said the family celebrated festivals belonging to different faiths, including Holi, Diwali and Eid.
She emphasised that both her parents allowed their children the freedom to follow their individual beliefs and practices. “We were always allowed to follow our own path by both our parents,” Saba noted.
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