Soha Ali Khan, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, recently shared that her father’s teachings shaped a grounded perspective on money. Soha revealed that Mansoor taught them that they were not wealthy, and this philosophy played a pivotal role in keeping her and her siblings, Saif Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan, humble and connected to reality.
Soha described her childhood as “normal,” even though she came from a large family. She admitted that she was fully aware of the privileged life she led. She referred to her house in Delhi, opposite Sena Bhawan, as a beautiful one. In a conversation with The Quizzitok Podcast, she added that after 20 years, she realised she shouldn’t have become so comfortable because it was taken away from them. She is completely aware that people around them did not have what they enjoyed.

She added that as a child, it was hard to grasp the extent of the privileges they had. Soha shared that while attending The British School, she was surrounded by peers from similar or wealthier backgrounds. She noted that while Indian princes may have a rich heritage, fine clothes, and land, they often do not have substantial cash, highlighting the difference between perceived wealth and financial reality.
Soha further revealed that her father made them believe they had limited financial resources, focusing on expenses like petrol and electricity. She recalled how they only had one telephone with a long extension cord, which was often monopolised by her sister, Saba Ali Khan, making it difficult for the rest of the family to use. “But my father would sit on top of that phone all day long and at night, when he went to bed, he would lock it. He would also leave post-it notes all over the house saying ‘Turn off the lights’. If I wanted to go to a friend’s house, he would say: ‘Petrol is very expensive,’” she added.
Soha explained how Mansoor was so careful with expenses that he would lock the phone at night, leave reminders to turn off the lights, and limit petrol use. She fondly recalled a financial lesson where he offered her Rs 500 upfront or Rs 50 annually until she turned 25.
She also credited both her parents for teaching her financial responsibility, noting that her mother would meticulously manage household expenses, including knowing the price of vegetables.