Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan has opened up about her early career journey, revealing that she once lived in a rented apartment in Mumbai despite belonging to the royal Pataudi family.
Soha, the daughter of veteran stars Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and sister of actor Saif Ali Khan, said she wanted to be financially independent after completing her master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
She worked at an international bank with an annual salary of Rs220,000, of which Rs17,000 went towards rent.
“A large portion of my salary would go into paying rent, but I wanted to be financially independent and make my own life decisions,” she shared.
Choosing films over finance
Although her parents were initially hesitant about her pursuing acting, Soha said her financial independence gave her the confidence to follow her passion. Her turning point came with a modelling assignment worth Rs500,000, followed by her Bollywood debut in Dil Maange More opposite Shahid Kapoor, where she earned Rs1 million.
Over the years, Soha Ali Khan has acted in several films across genres and continues to remain active in the Indian film industry. Her story, she says, is a reminder that independence and self-reliance are more valuable than privilege alone.
