Did you know Bhagyashree, who starred alongside Salman Khan in 'Maine Pyar Kiya', actually comes from the royal family of Sangli in Maharashtra?
Ever wondered about Bollywood actors and their royal ties? It's not all glitz and glamour—they've got some serious heritage too! Discover how these stars blend fame with their regal family legacies, adding a touch of majesty to the silver screen.
One of Bollywood's most celebrated actors, did you know Irrfan Khan originally went by the name Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan? He later chose to drop "Sahabzade" due to feeling uncomfortable with his royal association. Hailing from a Pathaan family in Rajasthan, Irrfan's mother, Saeeda Begum, hailed from Tonk, a village near Rajasthan, and was part of the Tonk Hakim family, known for their influence over the village. His father was also a respected zamindar in Tonk.
Aamir Khan's former wife, Kiran Rao, hails from the royal family of Nizam in Hyderabad. Her paternal grandfather, J Rameshwar Rao, served as the Raja of Wanaparthy State from 1944 to 1971. During his tenure, the Indian government abolished the Privy Purse, the payments made to the ruling families of princely states. Subsequently, he joined the Indian Foreign Service and founded Orient Longman, a prominent publishing company.
Did you know that Manisha Koirala actually comes from Nepal's Koirala royal family, which has deep roots in both governance and Bollywood? Her father, Prakash Koirala, was a prominent figure in government, and her grandfather, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, along with her great-uncles, Girija Prasad Koirala and Matrika Prasad Koirala, all served as Prime Ministers of Nepal at different times. It's quite a remarkable blend of royalty and public service legacy, isn't it?
Aditi Rao Hydari’s parents are both from the Hyderabad nobility. Her father, Ahsan Hydari, is the grandson of Akbar Hydari, the former Prime Minister of Hyderabad. On the other hand, her mother, Vidya Rao, is the step-daughter of Raja J. Rameshwar Rao, who headed the Wanaparthy royal family, a large estate under the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Parveen Babi was actually part of the Babi dynasty from Junagadh. The Babi tribe of Pashtuns, also known as the Pathans of Gujarat, had a long history in the region. Her father, Vali Mohammed Khan Babi, served as an administrator under the Nawab of Junagadh.
Saif Ali Khan, famously known as the Nawab of Bollywood, hails from a prestigious lineage. His grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, was the last official nawab of Pataudi, and his grandmother, Sajida Sultan, held the title of Begum of Bhopal. Both his grandfather and father, Mohammad Mansoor Ali Khan Siddiqui Pataudi, had illustrious cricket careers, representing both the Indian and English cricket teams.
The actress from "Chak De India," who is married to cricketer Zaheer Khan, comes from a distinguished lineage. Her father, Vijaysinh Ghatge, is from the royal family of Kagal and is a descendant of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. Her grandmother, Sita Raje Ghatge, was the daughter of Tukojirao Holkar III of Indore, who was the Maharaja of Indore.
Bollywood stars with royal backgrounds bring a unique blend of elegance and charm to the silver screen, merging their regal heritage with the dazzle of the entertainment world. It's a fascinating intersection where real-life nobility meets the allure of cinema.
