Vineeta Rao
Auckland, January 17, 2025
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan Pataudi is reportedly recovering from a successful surgery at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital on Thursday morning (shortly after 2.30 am IST).
The star was rushed there after receiving multiple stab wounds.
Medical officials stated that the actor sustained six stab wounds. While some of the wounds were minor, Khan received two deep cuts on his spine where a knife, lodged during the attack was removed during surgery.
According to a press release issued by Lilavati Hospital, the 54-year-old actor is now recovering in the Intensive Care Unit after his successful surgery.
Editor’s Note: Dr Nitin Dange told a press conference later that Khan had been shifted to a Special Room where he was recovering. “He is out of danger and is doing fine. He was even able to walk,” he said. Dr Dange is a globally renowned Comprehensive Stroke and Endovascular Neurosurgeon associated with the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre.
There was a rumour making its rounds to the effect that the intruder demanded Rs 1 Crore (about $208,000) from the actor before stabbing him. There was no confirmation of this aspect of the incident as we published this story.
While the motive of the attack is yet to be established, preliminary Police statements indicate that the incident may have been a burglary gone wrong.
Indian media quoted the Police as saying that a male intruder entered the house at 2.30 am on Thursday. He was spotted by a member of the household staff who then raised the alarm. The actor was stabbed in a scuffle after the intruder allegedly threatened his young children. The Police are now investigating the matter and have launched a search for the attacker.
About Saif Ali Khan
Khan, the son of former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and his Bollywood wife Sharmila Tagore, made his debut in 1993 and has over 70 films to his credit, through a career spanning three decades. He has received multiple awards, including Padma Shri, the fourth-highest Indian civilian award.
Saif Ali Khan is often referred to as ‘Chote Nawab,’ a reference to his Royal heritage as his father was the last Nawab of Pataudi, an erstwhile Princely state on the outskirts of Delhi.
His current wife Kareena is also an actress and is the mother of their two young children, Taimur and Jeh. Khan also has two children – actress Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, from his former wife Amrita Singh.
The family has released a statement requesting their fans and the media to remain patient while the Police investigate the incident.
While the actor’s colleagues and fans are shocked, several prominent celebrities and politicians have called for increased Police presence and commented on the increasing number of high-profile crimes in Mumbai. The city is the Commercial Capital of India and the home of the Hindi film industry, fondly referred to as Bollywood.
In October last year, a former state minister Baba Siddique, known to have close ties with several Bollywood stars, was gunned down outside his office. In July 2024, two gunmen opened fire outside the home of popular Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
Hindustan Times Reports
A person has been detained for questioning and doctors held a press conference at the hospital to give an update on Khan’s health.
The actor was attacked early Thursday morning by an intruder armed with a knife at his Bandra residence in Mumbai. The incident took place around 2.30 am, and the Bollywood actor was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
Khan’s public relations team issued a statement confirming the attempted break-in and requested privacy while the Police continued their investigation.
“Saif Ali Khan is currently in the hospital undergoing surgery,” the statement read.
A Police official reported that the intruder entered the actor’s home and engaged in a physical altercation with him. Some family members were reportedly present during the attack. Although Khan sustained knife injuries, he is out of danger.
A senior Police Officer indicated that robbery could have been a motive but declined to share additional details due to the ongoing investigation.
The Bandra Police have launched an inquiry and responded promptly to the incident.
Vineeta Rao is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.