Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu marked their 10th wedding anniversary last month, but the Rang De Basanti actress recently disclosed that her mother, veteran star Sharmila Tagore, was initially opposed to her marrying an actor.
During an appearance on The Quizzitok Podcast, Soha recalled the one piece of advice her mother gave her when she entered Bollywood – advice she ultimately chose to ignore. “She said, ‘Do whatever you want, but never marry an actor,’” Soha revealed. Tagore believed actors had big egos and mood swings, not just because of their own success but also due to others’ achievements. She felt being married to an actor required a certain level of patience and understanding. However, Soha admitted that she possesses those qualities and has adapted well to her role as Kunal’s partner.
Reflecting on her father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, she noted that while actors may have mood swings, her cricketer father was the complete opposite. She fondly remembered him as “cool as a cucumber” and someone who never raised his voice, though he was firm and strict when needed. In contrast, she recalled that her mother had a few “sensitive moments” while parenting.
When speaking about her own temperament, Soha compared herself to her father, claiming that it takes a lot to make her lose her cool. However, she amusingly admitted that Kunal somehow knows exactly how to push her buttons. While her seven-year-old daughter doesn’t frustrate her, she joked that her husband is the only one who can truly infuriate her. Soha also hinted at the unpredictable nature of actors, adding that they “wear their emotions on their sleeve” and often leave their loved ones dealing with the aftermath of their mood swings.
Despite her mother’s initial reservations, Soha and Kunal’s decade-long marriage stands as proof that she followed her heart, even if it meant going against a legend’s advice.