Saif Ali Khan's Pataudi Palace: Inside 'Haiwaan' actor's ancestral home

Saif Ali Khan's connection with the Pataudi family estate has remained a subject of interest among fans. The actor comes from the former Pataudi royal family. His ancestral property is located in Gurugram, Haryana.The sprawling Pataudi Palace is spread across approximately 10 acres. The estate is known for its imposing architecture and expansive interiors. Reports by Index Tap site, have described the property as one of the family's most valuable possessions.The palace reportedly has around 150 rooms. These include seven bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard rooms and spacious drawing rooms. Its scale reflects the family's royal heritage.The estate was built in the 1930s for Iftikhar Ali Khan, the seventh Nawab of Pataudi. The property was later leased to a hotel group. Saif Ali Khan eventually bought back the ancestral estate.

Ibrahim Kothi showcases the Pataudi family's heritage

Architectural Digest website has highlighted the distinctive character of Ibrahim Kothi. The palace is situated around 30 kilometres south of Gurugram. It stands in a village surrounded by farmland in Haryana.The residence sits within a 10-acre garden. Neem trees, flowering bougainvillea and purple-tinted tibu add to the property's setting.

The whitewashed palace stands out against the rural landscape.Ibrahim Kothi was once the home of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, widely known as "Tiger". The property is now associated with Sharmila Tagore, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The palace has two storeys and prominent fluted columns. A large dome forms one of its most striking architectural features. The design was inspired by the Sanchi Stupa.Inside, pillared verandas open into rooms with high ceilings.

The interiors feature polished parquet flooring and pink Venetian chandeliers.

The Pataudi family's royal history dates back centuries

The family's history is linked to Faiz Talab Khan. An Afghan soldier who served the Marathas, he was granted Pataudi by Lord Lake in 1806.Pataudi later became a princely state. It covered 41 villages and had around 4,000 people under its administration. The state was smaller than neighboring princely territories such as Dujana and Loharu.

Some of Pataudi's older palaces, including Akbar and Mumtaz Manzil, still exist nearby.

Ibrahim Kothi was built for a royal marriage

The construction of Ibrahim Kothi was connected to Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi's marriage plans. He intended to marry a princess from Bhopal. Her family reportedly felt that his existing residence was not large enough for a Bhopali princess. A new palace was therefore commissioned for the couple.Architect Robert Tor Russell was chosen for the project. He was also associated with the design of Connaught Place in New Delhi.

The resulting palace combined European neoclassical architecture with Art Deco influences. Traditional Indian floral elements were also incorporated into the design.

Saif Ali Khan bought the estate back in 2014

Ibrahim Kothi was leased to the Neemrana Hotels group in 2005. The property remained under the hotel group's management for several years. Saif Ali Khan bought the estate back in 2014. The palace then returned to the Pataudi family as a private residence.The property is reportedly valued at around Rs 800 crore. Its significance, however, extends beyond its reported market value. It remains closely tied to Saif Ali Khan's family history and royal heritage.Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan is currently seen alongside Akshay Kumar in 'Haiwaan'. The Priyadarshan-directed thriller has recorded a subdued advance-booking trend.Current pre-sales indicate an opening below Rs 5 crore. The top national cinema chains are expected to finish with fewer than 10,000 advance tickets, according to Sacnilk.

The film will need strong spot bookings to improve its opening.DISCLAIMER: Figures presented in this article are derived from various public sources and are considered approximate unless explicitly noted. We may include direct input from celebrities or their teams when available. We are open to feedback on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.