Saif Ali Khan is all set for the release of his upcoming film, Rangoon. While promoting the Vishal Bhardwaj film, the actor also spoke about the entire controversy surrounding his son’s name, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi.
In an interview with The Times of India, the actor admits how he entertained the idea of changing his son’s name.
Saif Contemplated Changing Taimur’s Name
I thought for a second about changing his name. For a couple of weeks. And Kareena was a little against it. She said, ‘People respect you for your opinion and you can’t… So I said, yeah, but it’s not about people. I don’t want him to get unpopular. And I still might, maybe when he’s one or two, I might change his name in a while, it’s still sinking in, what to do.Saif Ali Khan, Actor
He Almost Did!
And Saif says he may still change Taimur’s name after one or two years. The actor admitted that he even drafted a letter after the entire outrage over his son’s name.
Someone in my PR agreed with me, and we drafted a small letter. And when I read it, it was so pathetic, that I cancelled the idea. Because it was really like, uhh, ‘I’m sorry’, and ‘I didn’t want to offend’ and ‘I’m an idiot’ (laughs), and you know, I’ve given in to pressure. It just sounded awful. However you write it, it just wasn’t sounding right. It was like I didn’t realise where I live or what I’m doing. So I did think about it. I thought about it, but it was for the wrong reason.Saif Ali Khan
‘Taimur’ Predates ‘Timur Lang’
Yes, even today. My daughter told me, why don’t you say that you have not named him after Timur Lang, say that’s Timur and this is Taimur. I said it still sounds similar. She says just say they have same roots. The name is nice and it sounds good and it means something nice but it is not named after that guy. Well, yes, the name is the same, but the name also predates the person called Timur Lang.Saif Ali Khan
History of ‘Shah Rukh Khan’
Saif also shared an interesting tid-bit about the history of one Shah Rukh Khan who wanted to plunder India.
Incidentally, Timur Lang’s son was Shah Rukh, who is the guy who supposedly said we should actually plunder India. A lot of fighting was done by his sons, but nobody has a problem with the name Shah Rukh (laughs).Saif Ali Khan
He worries about Taimur being bullied in school because of his name.
If I feel that he’s going to get in trouble in school, I might change it still. It’s a bit late now, though. Or not. I don’t know. You wouldn’t want him to be known as the boy who was originally called Taimur, would you? Even if you now call him Akbar, he’ll have to carry this with him anyway. Why make him be apologetic about this forever.Saif Ali Khan
Saif also lovingly talks about his infant son living up to his name.
He’s quite a fiery guy, though, I must say. I hope he doesn’t already understand that it’s a strong name. He makes his feelings felt very strongly. Yells, not cries. Stop doing what you’re doing and he’s fine (laughs).Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan On His Childhood
I was quite a difficult kid, I believe. As a young kid, I think I spent a lot of time on my own. My parents were quite busy, and I thought my ayah had given me birthday presents! It was really sad… I remember I said, ‘Amma, see what Margaret gave me for my birthday’. And my mother’s like, ‘I have given you that!’ I thought the maid was my mother, I think, for a while.Saif Ali Khan
(Source: The Times of India)
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