Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh were one of Bollywood's most talked-about couples when they tied the knot in 1991. Their marriage, which defied societal norms due to their significant age difference and Saif’s relatively nascent career in comparison to Amrita's established stature in the industry, became a major topic of discussion. However, after 13 years and two children—Sara and Ibrahim—the couple's relationship came to a bitter end in 2004. Their divorce was marred by allegations, accusations, and legal battles, making it one of the most publicized splits in the film industry. Here’s a detailed look at the events that led to their separation and its aftermath.
Early Years and Marriage
When Saif and Amrita first met, it was love at first sight. Amrita Singh, an established actress at the time, was charmed by the young and aspiring Saif Ali Khan. Despite opposition from their families and the glaring age gap of 12 years, the couple decided to get married. Saif, often referred to as the chote nawab of Pataudi, married Amrita in October 1991. They welcomed their daughter Sara Ali Khan in 1995, followed by their son Ibrahim Ali Khan in 2001.
However, despite a seemingly happy family life, cracks in their relationship began to appear as Saif's career took off. Rumors of discord started to surface, and soon enough, they were part of daily gossip columns. After months of speculation, the couple announced their separation in 2004.
Allegations and Accusations
Their divorce proceedings were not just a matter of signing papers and moving on. Both Saif and Amrita levied serious allegations against each other. While Amrita remained largely private about the reasons for their split, Saif openly discussed his side of the story in various interviews.
Saif revealed in an interview with Telegraph that his marriage with Amrita was troubled due to constant clashes and disagreements. One of the most shocking revelations was Saif’s accusation that Amrita had verbally abused and insulted his mother, Sharmila Tagore, and his sister, Saba Ali Khan. He stated that the years leading up to their separation were filled with bitterness and mental stress due to these family conflicts. According to him, the strain on their relationship was exacerbated by Amrita's hostility toward his family, which made it impossible for him to continue in the marriage.
He mentioned in an interview with Telegraph, "It isn’t nice to be constantly reminded of how worthless you are and to have taunts, jeers, insults, and abuses thrown at your mother and sister all the time. I’ve gone through all of it.”
The Financial Aspect: Hefty Alimony and Child Support
One of the most contentious aspects of their divorce was the financial settlement. Amrita demanded a hefty alimony, which Saif claimed put a significant strain on him financially. He openly discussed his struggles in managing the alimony payments, which, according to him, were beyond his capacity at the time.
In a candid interview with Telegraph, Saif revealed, "I’m supposed to give Amrita Rs 5 crore, of which I’ve already given her approximately Rs 2.5 crore. Also, I’m paying Rs 1 lakh per month until my son becomes 18. I’m not Shah Rukh Khan. I don’t have that kind of money. I’ve promised her I’ll pay up the rest of the money, and I will, even if I have to slog till I drop dead.”
Impact on the Children
The separation and subsequent legal battles between Saif and Amrita had a considerable impact on their children, Sara and Ibrahim. Saif spoke about the pain of being distanced from his children and the struggle to maintain a bond with them despite the circumstances. He expressed his frustration and sorrow over being portrayed as an absentee father.
He shared, "I really want my kids. But I don’t want to put up a constant fight over them. If they are to be taken away from me, then let Amrita call them Sara Singh and Ibrahim Singh. Let my daughter become 18 and ask me, ‘Where were you Dad, when my brother and I needed you?’ Let me die of shame. But please don’t kill me with a feeling of constant guilt just because I’ve had the courage to finally walk away from an impossible relationship to find some solace.”
Moving On and the Path Ahead
After their separation, both Saif and Amrita took different paths in life. Saif went on to establish himself as a successful actor and married Kareena Kapoor in 2012. He is now a father to two more children with Kareena—Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan.
Amrita, on the other hand, focused on raising Sara and Ibrahim. She maintained a low profile and stayed away from the limelight, except for occasional appearances with her children. The bitterness of their divorce did not seem to have left completely, as the couple rarely speaks about each other publicly.
However, in recent years, both Saif and Amrita have made efforts to ensure that their children have a balanced upbringing. Sara Ali Khan, now an actress herself, shares a good rapport with both her parents and has often mentioned in interviews how she respects their decision to part ways.
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