'Love Jihad': Soha Ali Khan recalls several threats amid Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor’s marriage

Soha Ali Khan discussed the significant challenges Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor faced when they decided to marry. As an interfaith couple, they were subjected to intense scrutiny, including serious threats such as death threats and threats targeting their families. Despite this extreme opposition, Saif and Kareena remained steadfast in their decision, ultimately choosing to proceed with a private wedding ceremony in October 2012. Their strong resolve in the face of such adversity subsequently lessened the severity of the backlash when Soha herself married Kunal Kemmu.

Revealing if she faced the backlash

During a conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, Soha was asked about the backlash she faced due to her interfaith marriage and its impact on her. She responded, "I don't think it got to me because I feel like as long as the people who I love and who I care about and I respect are on the same page as me, it's okay."

She explained, "There's going to be lots of haters, there's going to be lots of voices, and that's also okay. I am fine with everyone having an opinion, and that's all fine. So I think these things like... interfaith marriage, even when Kunal and I got married..."

Tensions amid Kareena and Saif’s marriage

Soha Ali Khan recalled, "Even when Kareena and bhai got married, there were lots of strange things - Love Jihad, Ghar Wapsi, all kinds of weird headlines were being made as well. You know, 'You took one of ours, now we will take one of yours'."

When Saif and Kareena's Wedding Was Under Scrutiny

Saif Ali Khan disclosed to Rediff that Kareena's father, Randhir Kapoor, received anonymous letters containing threats. These letters warned of potential harm to the family and even suggested that their wedding venue could be targeted. Despite these serious threats, Saif remained resolute, drawing strength from his family's legacy.

Saif Ali Khan reflected on the similar challenges his parents, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore, had faced during their interfaith marriage in the 1960s. He remembered that his parents had also encountered resistance, but these past experiences did not intimidate him. Saif stated, "Making threats and carrying them out are two different things."

When Sharmila Tagore’s wedding was under threat

Sharmila Tagore, in a previous interview with Mojo Story, shared memories of the difficulties she and Mansoor Ali Khan faced. During their wedding in Kolkata, her family received telegrams containing threats, ominously declaring that "bullets shall speak." While Mansoor Ali Khan's family was increasingly worried, Sharmila recounted that they proceeded with their plans, holding a memorable wedding where, fortunately, "nothing untoward happened."