Mumbai, July 6, 2025 : Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, known for his royal lineage and Nawabi charm, is once again in the spotlight - but this time, not for a film or public appearance. Reports suggest that he has lost claim over his ancestral properties worth a staggering ₹15,000 crore due to legal and inheritance issues. Saif, the son of late cricketer Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, is the heir to the Pataudi royal family, which once ruled over a princely state in Haryana. The family's assets include estates in Pataudi, Bhopal, and even portions of land in other cities and abroad. However, despite the eye-popping valuation of these properties, Saif has reportedly lost access or legal ownership over most of them.

The main reason behind this major loss lies in the complexities of royal inheritance, outdated documentation, and competing legal claims by distant relatives. After India’s independence, royal titles and privileges were abolished, but many families continued to retain their estates and properties. However, over time, lack of proper succession records, government takeovers, and multiple heirs led to disputes. In the case of the Pataudi family, many properties were either never formally transferred to Saif or were tangled in legal battles. Some of these lands and palaces were claimed by other branches of the family or ended up under the management of the Waqf Board or state government.

In previous interviews, Saif himself had admitted that the royal family's total wealth could be in the thousands of crores, joking that if he went after everything he’s entitled to, he’d be worth at least ₹5,000 crore. But even that seems like an understatement today, as new estimates value the total at nearly ₹15,000 crore. Legal experts say that since many of these assets were passed down informally over generations, without proper wills or registration, courts cannot legally recognize Saif as the rightful heir to them. In addition, some of the properties have reportedly been encroached upon or handed over to trusts and charitable boards.

Among the most famous assets linked to Saif is the Pataudi Palace, a stunning heritage property near Gurgaon. He had lost access to it for a while as it was leased out and run as a hotel, but in recent years, he managed to repurchase it privately for an estimated ₹800 crore. However, this forms only a small fraction of the wider royal wealth that has now slipped from his hands. Another key connection is to the royal family of Bhopal, as Saif’s grandmother, Begum Sajida Sultan, was the last ruling Begum of Bhopal. Her estates and lands in Madhya Pradesh too are caught in legal disputes or are no longer in the family’s control.

While the loss may seem massive, Saif Ali Khan has long built his own fortune through his successful Bollywood career and brand endorsements. He also owns multiple modern properties in Mumbai, Delhi, and even Switzerland. So, while the royal inheritance may be lost to red tape and history, the Nawab of Bollywood remains financially secure and continues to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Even though he may no longer own most of his family’s ancestral treasure, Saif still carries the legacy forward in his own modern way.