Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi Had an Affair with Simi Garewal Before Marrying Sharmila Tagore

Before tying the knot with actress Sharmila Tagore, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was reportedly in a relationship with actress Simi Garewal. Sharmila and Mansoor faced immense challenges before their marriage, including societal opposition to interfaith unions and threats to their lives. Nevertheless, they married in 1968, with Sharmila converting to Islam and taking the name Ayesha Sultan. The couple went on to have three children: Saif Ali Khan, Saba Ali Khan, and Soha Ali Khan.

The Breakup with Simi Garewal
According to reports, Tiger Pataudi—Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s nickname—visited Simi Garewal’s apartment to inform her that he had met someone else and that their relationship was over. Simi, known for her composure, accepted the news gracefully and escorted him to the lift before parting ways.

Years later, Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal appeared on a show together. While they did not discuss the past affair, Simi shared a photo and wrote:
“My relationship with the Pataudi family goes back a long way. Mansoor and I were dating when he was the Indian cricket captain. He was always easygoing, often visiting my film sets, which made the crew happy. Sharmila and I were social friends and colleagues. Then she came into his life, and you know the rest. I found that Mansoor had not changed at all.”

Life After Marriage
Sharmila Tagore, who adopted Islam before marriage, humorously recounted at an event that her husband would insist on her cooking three times a day. She noted, however, that if she entered the kitchen, chaos would ensue, and someone would inevitably have to step aside.

This story sheds light on the personal life of one of India’s most celebrated cricketers and the challenges faced by Sharmila and Mansoor in balancing love, tradition, and societal expectations.