Saif Ali Khan recalls growing up in unpainted palaces and admits stealing from his father

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, known for his candid wit and aristocratic charm, recently revisited his early years in the Pataudi Palace — a life that, he insists, wasn’t as grand as it appeared.

Speaking on the chat show Two Much with Akshay Kumar, the son of cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore mixed humor with honesty while recalling his “struggles” growing up in India’s most famous royal household.

“When Akshay was hustling for tips in Bangkok, Saif was taking money out of his father’s wallet,” Kajol joked on the show. Saif responded with a grin, “Because he wouldn’t notice, but my mother would. She always knew. I wasn’t a very good boy — I was very naughty.”

Asked if he stole for food, the Tanhaji actor slipped into mock drama. “They weren’t feeding me,” he quipped, sending the hosts into laughter. Twinkle Khanna then teased him about his luxurious background. Saif’s retort? “They were unpainted palaces. It was a big struggle. It wasn’t air-conditioned.”

The light-hearted banter highlighted the contrasting upbringings of the two stars. While Saif joked about his royal discomforts, Akshay Kumar recalled a humbler past — growing up with over 20 family members in a small Chandni Chowk home. “We were 24 people in one room,” Akshay had shared in an earlier interview, adding that despite the crowd, “there wasn’t a single day we didn’t smile or laugh.”

Saif’s humorous take on his “unpainted palace” upbringing adds yet another layer to his reputation as one of Bollywood’s most self-aware and effortlessly entertaining storytellers.