Soha Ali Khan’s Bio, Age, Family, Movies, Husband, Career & More

Soha Ali Khan’s Biography

Her breakout role came in Rang De Basanti (2006), one of the defining Hindi films of its decade.

She went on to act across genres from period dramas like Khoya Khoya Chand to thrillers like Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns and later stepped into the streaming era with shows such as Hush Hush.

In 2017 she turned author with The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, a candid and witty book that won a Crossword Book Award the following year.

She married actor Kunal Khemu in 2015 and the couple has a daughter, Inaaya. In 2025, after a long gap from films, she returned to the big screen with Chhorii 2.

A new world of fear awaits… #Chhorii2TrailerOutNow#Chhorii2OnPrime, April 11#TamariskLane @PsychScares #BhushanKumar#KrishanKumar @NotJackDavis @shivchanana #NeerajKalyan #GashmeerMahajani #KuldeepSareen pic.twitter.com/5qJnQ6JJWY

— Soha Ali Khan (@sakpataudi) April 3, 2025

Soha Ali Khan’s Quick Stats

Early Life and Family Legacy

Soha Ali Khan was born on 4 October 1978 in New Delhi, into the Pataudi and Tagore families two names that have shaped Indian culture in sports and cinema.

Her father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, captained India’s national cricket team and was widely respected for his elegance and leadership. Her mother, Sharmila Tagore, is one of Hindi cinema’s most admired actresses, known for her body of work in both Hindi and Bengali films.

Her elder brother, Saif Ali Khan, is a leading Bollywood star, while her elder sister, Saba Ali Khan, is a jewellery designer and custodian of family charitable trusts.

Growing up in a high-profile household can be intense, but Soha has often said she was encouraged to pursue education and to think independently. That outlook explains her academic path and the way she has navigated her career deliberate, thoughtful, and not overly concerned with chasing trends.

Education and a World Beyond Films

Before stepping into movies, Soha carved out an impressive academic resume. She studied at The British School in New Delhi, completed a B.A. in Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, and then earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

This foundation shows up in her interviews and in her writing: her memoir reads like a conversation with a friend who has both a sense of humour and a sharp, informed perspective on fame, family, and work.

Breaking Into Films (2004–2005)

Soha began her acting career in 2004. She appeared in the Bengali film Iti Srikanta and made her Hindi debut the same year with Dil Maange More!!! opposite Shahid Kapoor.

She also acted in Antarmahal (Bengali) and mainstream Hindi entertainers like Pyaar Mein Twist and Shaadi No. 1.

These early years were a mix of experiments, learning by doing, and understanding what kinds of roles suited her voice and personality. Not every project clicked, but each added experience and confidence.

Breakthrough and Recognition: Rang De Basanti (2006)

The turning point arrived with Rang De Basanti in 2006. The film was a cultural moment an energetic blend of friendship, idealism, and political awakening and Soha’s dual role (a college student who mirrors a freedom fighter from the past) stood out for its quiet poise.

She won the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress and earned a Filmfare nomination, placing her firmly among the most promising actors of her generation.

The film’s success helped her shift from being “a star kid trying to find her footing” to an actor in her own right.

Also Read: Konkona Sen Sharma’s Bio, Career, Movies, Awards and Family

Building a Diverse Filmography

After Rang De Basanti, Soha explored a range of genres:

• Ahista Ahista (2006): A gentle romantic drama with Abhay Deol where she played a runaway who must build a life from zero.

• Khoya Khoya Chand (2007): A period drama set in the film industry of the 1950s, directed by Sudhir Mishra, with Shiney Ahuja opposite her.

• 99 (2009): A caper that brought her together with Kunal Khemu, who would later become her husband.

• Tum Mile (2009): A romance set against the Mumbai floods of 2005, co-starring Emraan Hashmi.

• Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns (2013): A moody, sharp political thriller sequel by Tigmanshu Dhulia that performed well and added grit to her filmography.

• Ghayal Once Again (2016): A comeback vehicle for Sunny Deol where she appeared in a supporting part.¹

Streaming Era and Return to the Big Screen (2022–2025)

Like many actors of her generation, Soha embraced streaming when the right material came along:

• Kaun Banegi Shikharwati (2022): A quirky family dramedy headlined by Naseeruddin Shah and a strong ensemble cast, where Soha fitted comfortably into the show’s playful tone.

• Hush Hush (2022): A thriller about complex women and buried secrets, co-starring Juhi Chawla and others. Reviews often described her as “graceful” and “royal,” noting how naturally she carried the material.²

After a long gap from films, she returned to the big screen with Chhorii 2 (2025), where she played the head of a vampire cult an unexpected, darker shade that signaled her comfort with trying something offbeat even after years away from cinema.

Critics highlighted her character as one of the film’s most effective elements.

The Writer’s Voice: The Perils of Being Moderately Famous

In 2017, Soha published The Perils okif Being Moderately Famous, a memoir that side-steps the usual celebrity tropes. The book is witty, self-deprecating, and personal without being performative.

It captures what it feels like to grow up around famous people while quietly building your own identity.

The book won the Crossword Book Award (2018) in the biography category. If you want to understand her worldview curious, reflective, and kind the memoir is a great place to start.³

A Children’s Book, Too

In 2022, Soha and Kunal Khemu introduced young readers to Inni and Bobo Find Each Other, a picture book about a little girl and a scruffy shelter pup who become best friends.

It is sweet without being saccharine and speaks gently about adoption and responsibility. Parents and kids received it warmly, and the book marked a new creative corner for the couple as co-authors.

Personal Life

Soha met actor Kunal Khemu around 2009. They got engaged in July 2014 in Paris and married in Mumbai on 25 January 2015. Their daughter, Inaaya Naumi Khemu, was born on 29 September 2017.

The family often shares glimpses of birthdays and small celebrations, though they tend to keep things relaxed and close-knit.

In interviews, Soha has spoken about the practical advice her mother gave her when she and Kunal started living together before marriage a reminder that love thrives with clarity and shared expectations.

Endorsements, Advocacy, and Public Work

Soha has been associated with brands that value a refined, understated image.

She has endorsed hospitality, lifestyle, and fashion labels, and in 2022 she was announced as a brand advocate for New Zealand education in India, a role that blends her public profile with her commitment to learning.

The combination of education and entertainment has always been part of her identity, and this ambassadorship made that link official.

Acting Style and On-Screen Identity

What sets Soha apart is her restraint. She rarely plays to the gallery. Instead, she favours honesty, unshowy emotion, and the quiet presence that anchors a scene.

In Rang De Basanti, that meant playing the moral center without heavy speeches. In Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, it meant adding texture to a world of power games.

In Hush Hush, it meant carrying secrets with a straight back. Even when she experiments like in Chhorii 2 she keeps it believable.

This style dovetails with her public image: thoughtful, low-drama, and comfortable with who she is. She doesn’t try to match her mother’s legendary status or her brother’s stardom. She chooses work that suits her temperament and life stage.

Selected Filmography

• Iti Srikanta (Bengali, 2004)

• Dil Maange More!!! (2004)

• Antarmahal (Bengali, 2005)

• Rang De Basanti (2006) – IIFA Award (Best Supporting Actress)

• Ahista Ahista (2006)

• Khoya Khoya Chand (2007)

• 99 (2009)

• Tum Mile (2009)

• Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns (2013)

• Ghayal Once Again (2016)

• Chhorii 2 (2025)

Web Series

• Kaun Banegi Shikharwati (2022)

• Hush Hush (2022)

Awards and Honours

• IIFA Award (Best Supporting Actress) for Rang De Basanti (2006).

• Crossword Book Award (2018) for The Perils of Being Moderately Famous (Biography category).

 

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FAQ’s

1) What is Soha Ali Khan’s age?

She was born on 4 October 1978.

2) Where did Soha Ali Khan study?

She studied at The British School in New Delhi, completed a B.A. in Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, and earned a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics.

3) Which film made Soha Ali Khan famous?

Rang De Basanti (2006) was her breakthrough role and won her the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress along with a Filmfare nomination.

4) Is Soha Ali Khan related to Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan?

Yes. Saif Ali Khan is her elder brother, and Kareena Kapoor Khan is her sister-in-law.

5) When did Soha Ali Khan marry Kunal Khemu?

They married on 25 January 2015 in Mumbai after getting engaged in July 2014 in Paris.

Conclusion

Soha Ali Khan’s story is not a sprint or a race. It is the slow, steady walk of a person who picks roles that fit, writes because she has something to say, and keeps her life grounded.

From the classroom halls of Oxford and LSE to the sets of films and series, and from a witty memoir to a tender children’s book, she has kept curiosity at the center of everything. That, more than the last name she carries, is what defines her.