Beyond his stellar film career, actor Saif Ali Khan also happens to be the Nawab of the erstwhile princely state of Pataudi, which now falls in the Gurugram district of Haryana. He’s seen visiting the Palace of Pataudi, which is now more of a vacation home for the Pataudis, every now and then, escaping the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. The regal Pataudi house of Saif Ali Khan, which is also known as Ibrahim Kothi, was built by his grandfather Mohammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who was the 8th Nawab of Pataudi. Designed by architect Robert Tor Russel with assistance from Karl Motz Von Heinz, the Pataudi Palace was built in 1900.
Here are facts you may not know about the beautiful Pataudi Palace
1. The winter destination
The Pataudi family is often seen vacationing and spending their winters at the Pataudi Palace, situated in Pataudi, now a part of Gurugram. The palatial Pataudi house of Saif Ali Khan, is spread over 10 acres, and has everything one can dream of. Whether it is lazing in the beautiful and mellow winter sun, or enjoying local winter delicacies like sarso ka saag and makke ki roti, the family is seen enjoying their time at the Pataudi House and posting about it too.
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2. Visiting the Pataudi Palace
From 2005 to 2014, the Palace of Pataudi had been leased to Neemrana Hotels by the late Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the father of Saif Ali Khan, and a famous cricketer. During this time, not only could you visit the Pataudi Palace but also book a stay at the luxurious property. After Saif Ali Khan took back the possession in 2014, Pataudi House was closed for visitors, and currently serves as a holiday home. Many of Pataudi ancestors are also buried here, making the Pataudi Palace valuable beyond materialism to the family.
3. Backdrop in films
The very regal and stunning Pataudi Palace has also served as the backdrop for many films over the years, the latest being the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal. Other films to have been shot here include Veer Zara, Mangal Pandey, and Eat Prey Love. With its stunning architecture that is said to have been modelled after the colonial mansions of Delhi, the Pataudi Palace is quite obviously a great choice to portray the grandeur of the lost times on the screen.
4. Earning back the inheritance
While the palace belonged to the royal family, the Pataudi house of Saif Ali Khan was leased to the Neemrana group of hotels by his father late Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. After the death of one of the co-founders of the group, Saif Ali Khan was offered the repossession of the Palace of Pataudi but at a huge cost. The uber-luxurious property with 150 rooms, gardens, a massive pool, a farm, and a stable, was earned back by the actor in 2014.