‘Taimur’ Drama Was Unnecessary, Liberal Voices Prevail: Saif

Saif Ali Khan opens up on why he named his son, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi.

Saif Ali Khan with Kareena and Taimur. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

Saif Ali Khan, who recently became a father to son, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi with wife, Kareena Kapoor opens up on the controversy surrounding his son’s name.

Social media just makes it clear what everybody is thinking in a sense. There is a lot of anonymity from the side of the people who are doing the talking so they feel free to say whatever they like, and sometimes they get very nasty… And that’s fine. It doesn’t mean that twenty, thirty or forty years ago people weren’t thinking similar things but maybe they did not have an outlet then.

Saif Ali Khan, Actor

When Saif and Kareena announced the name of their son, Taimur; social media erupted with opinions about the name. The celebrity child was trolled for having being named after the Turkish ruler who was, apparently, notorious for being a ruthless plunderer.

As far as I am concerned, stars are privileged and our country is actually still very balanced. People talk about the country becoming right-wing and fascist, and we have all these fears…but the fact of the matter is that if you view the kind of unnecessary drama over Taimur, there were a lot of voices…I felt I didn’t have to say anything because a lot of people had spoken wisely and liberally. Voices that kind of vindicated my decision and made me feel that it’s absolutely fine (to have the freedom to name his child as he wished to).

Saif Ali Khan

Saif expresses gratitude for the support that Kareena and he have received following the birth of Taimur.

Yes, there were some people who raised some objections but obviously just to look at medieval history and to make value judgments is, I think, ridiculous, and a lot of people have said that on my behalf. I feel quite confident that we don’t live in a right-wing society. As yet. India is still liberal and people are still open-minded.

Saif Ali Khan

“It’s just one of those things where people have a voice, and it’s OK for them to share it… These are the times we live in, but I don’t think it’s any reason to get too worried,” he adds.

The actor remains optimistic about our country, despite having being accused by so-called “bhakts” for engaging in love-jihad when he got married to Kareena Kapoor in 2012.

Saif talks about the history attached to Taimur and why he chose to name his child that, anyway.

My wife and I love the sound of it and we love its meaning. I am aware of the heritage of the Turkish ruler - he was Timur, my son is Taimur, an ancient Persian name that means iron.

Saif Ali Khan

Also Read: Saif and Kareena Name Son Taimur Ali Khan; Here’s What it Means

“Perhaps, I should have added a disclaimer, as they do in the movies, that any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental,” he cleverly adds.

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)