Exclusive: Sara Ali Khan on Her Bond With Saif Ali Khan and Growing Up in a Single-parent Household

Sara Ali Khan has often spoken about the influence her parents, Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan, have had on her life. While she grew up primarily with her mother after her parents separated, her father remained a part of her life. In a conversation with Filmfare for our cover story, Sara reflected on what it was like growing up with a single mother, the moments when she became conscious of having a different family dynamic and the distinct roles her parents played in her upbringing.

“He (Saif Ali Khan) was always there for us. But that’s not the same as living with two people,” shared Sara, talking about her parents. She continued, “You know when you fight with one, you go to the other to sort out the mess? There’s a good cop, bad cop. My mom was everything. She was the good cop, she was the bad cop. I would fight with her, complain about the fight to her and make amends with her. It was a singular upbringing. I’ve never had to ask my father for permission for anything. He’s always been there for advice, but approval… permission…was always mom’s department, and still is.”

For Sara, growing up in a single-parent household did come with moments when she noticed how her family differed from those of her peers. However, she credited her mother’s strength and the way she balanced her responsibilities with helping her navigate that experience.

“My mom did her best. But then you realise, for instance, during a parent-teacher meeting, ‘Why is this man sitting beside my friend? And there’s only a woman sitting besides me, what’s going on?’ But she’s also been a strong, independent mother who herself was raised by a single mother. Maybe there was a strength and vigour in her upbringing, which didn’t allow me to miss a father, the way I’d have if she was just a sweet mamma. She managed to put both those hats on and compartmentalise them beautifully,” Sara recalled.

Sara also spoke about the role Saif played in shaping her interests. Recalling her childhood memories with him, she shared, “History, culture, education, travel… I remember going with him to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, visiting Bernini’s sculptures in Rome, going with him for plays in London. The academic upbringing was from his side.”

On the work front, Sara Ali Khan was most recently seen in Udta Teer with Ayushmann Khurrana.

Also Read: Cover Story: Sara Ali Khan on Udta Teer, Growing Up With a Single Mother and More