Is Kunal Khemu an outsider for Pataudis?

Kunal Khemu still an outsider in the Pataudi family?
Subhash K Jha, Mumbai Mirror | Jun 21, 2012, 09.05AM IST

The actor's absence at the memorial lunch for Tiger Pataudi has sent tongues wagging
At the memorial lunch recently held in London by the Indian Journalists' Association for the late Nawab of Pataudi, the entire family was present and so was Kareena Kapoor. However, Soha's beau Kunal Khemu was conspicuous by his absence. And it wasn't as if he was not there to show solidarity with the family. It is learnt Soha's significant other was very much in London, but chose to stay away from the special gathering.

Quizzed about not being there at such an important event in his girlfriend's family calendar, Kunal simply said, "Yes, I missed that. But otherwise, I am very much here with the family and it's wonderful out here in London."
It wasn't as though only the immediate family had been invited. Tiger Pataudi's cousin Shahryar Mohammad Khan and Kareena, who is as much a part of the family as Kunal, were both present. So why wasn't Kunal there? A source pointed out that Kunal is yet to find a place in the Pataudi family portrait. Mirror readers may recall how in an earlier interview, Sharmila Tagore was effusive about Bebo but rather guarded in her response about Kunal. So is Kunal "basically a reserved chap", as a close friend of the actor claims, or is there a certain socio-cultural differences between the two families coming in the way?

Our source argued, "Both Kareena and Kunal have been accepted with open arms in the Pataudi family. But while Kareena has found it easy to blend with the family, and gets along like a house on fire with her future mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore, Kunal is yet to discover that comfort level in the family. Also, he's an intrinsically shy person. It takes him a while to open up to people. Accepting Soha's family for him has been more difficult than Soha's family's acceptance of Kunal."

So while Kareena is seen happily mingling with the Pataudi family at public gatherings, Kunal shies away. The source added, "He knows he is welcome in the family, and very much part of their social engagements. But he chooses at the moment to remain in the shadows. When Tiger Pataudi died, he was with Soha and the family throughout but in a quiet, unobtrusive way. Likewise in London, Kunal made sure he was part of the Pataudi family but chose to stay away from public appearances with them."

Apparently, Kunal feels his motives may be misconstrued. "He comes from a very different, middleclass background. Unlike Kareena, who is a star, he would appear to be tagging along with the Pataudis to get noticed. And while he had just started getting into proper conversations with Soha's dad, he passed away. With Sharmila, he is cordial. Ditto for Saif," the source informed.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Kunal-Khemu-still-an-outsider-in-the-Pataudi-family/articleshow/14313028.cms

MAYBE..

Lol.He is an outsider unless he became a gharjamai.

yes, until he does not give any solo hit.

I noticed that too in Sharmila Tagore's words about him. I had wondered then and felt sorry for him regarding her choice of words. Well best of luck to him and Soha.

I duno, in a way i understand why Sharmila would be open about discussing Bebo and not Kunal with the media. Saifs a guy and Soha a girl (as if u didnt know lol) and perhaps she doesnt wanna jinx it or say something that might damage Sohas reputation if things dont work out for them im the future. And plus Kareena is official, shes a fiance, where as Kunal is still in boyfriend status.

But that London journalist Sunny Malik tweeted that Kunal was invited.

the family obviously has a hard time accepting nice people! first Amrita and now Kunal! meh I would take it as a compliment actually

Originally posted by: onlyexception

But that London journalist Sunny Malik tweeted that Kunal was invited.

Enycedoll, I agree with you.