Introduction: A Royal Family’s Ghostly Anecdote
Soha Ali Khan, a prominent Bollywood actress and a member of India’s royal lineage, recently drew attention beyond her filmography by recounting a spine-tingling family tale. In interviews surrounding the promotion of her horror film, the actress spoke about Pili Kothi, an old mansion linked to the Patodi Palace in the Gurugram region. The anecdote blends cinema glamour with a dash of mystique, offering a rare glimpse into how celebrity legacies intersect with local folklore.
Who is Soha Ali Khan?
Born on October 4, 1978, in New Delhi, Soha Ali Khan is the daughter of the late cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and the acclaimed actress Sharmila Tagore. The Pataudi family’s storied history in Indian sport and cinema places Soha in a unique position where royal heritage, artistic achievement, and media fascination converge. Her brother Saif Ali Khan and sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan are also well-known figures in Indian cinema, making the family a staple of Bollywood’s cultural conversation.
The Pili Kothi: An Old Estate in Gurugram
According to Soha’s account, Pili Kothi — translated as the “Yellow House” — sits near the Patodi Palace in the Gurugram district. The property is described as an ancestral home with a long family history, marked by old architecture and a sense of bygone grandeur. Locals and family lore alike have long whispered that the house is haunted, a superstition that has persisted through generations.
The Night of the Haunting: What Soha Shared
During a candid talk, Soha recalled a striking incident in which a resident ghost within Pili Kothi appeared to strike someone close to the family. She described an eerie moment where the specter allegedly landed a sharp blow near the ear, leaving a visible mark and a lasting memory for those present. The impact of this encounter was not merely physical; it reportedly unsettled the entire household, prompting the family to leave Pili Kothi overnight and seek refuge at the Patodi Palace.
Impact on the Family
The reported night of fear reportedly galvanized a permanent relocation for the family. Pili Kothi, once a symbol of ancestral privilege, became a vacant, desolate relic in the years that followed. Soha notes that, while the episode became a well-known family story, she has never visited Pili Kothi again. The tale has since circulated within the family as a cautionary anecdote, a reminder of how legends can cling to places long after the people have moved on.
Today: The Haunting as Family Lore
Today Pili Kothi stands as an empty piece of royal heritage near Gurugram, a quiet echo of a remarkable lineage. The story continues to be shared with a mix of humor and reverence during conversations about growing up in a family that straddles cinema fame and royal history. Soha’s retelling underscores a broader theme in Bollywood culture: how personal histories intertwine with hauntings and myths, enriching the aura around both celebrity and legacy.
Why Such Stories Endure in Celebrity Culture
Celebrity narratives often blur the lines between fact and folklore. For fans and media alike, Soha Ali Khan’s Pili Kothi tale adds texture to her public persona — a modern actress who still carries the weight of a royal lineage and a family history steeped in tradition. It also feeds the public’s curiosity about the private lives of stars who grew up surrounded by prestige, fame, and a few spectral legends that refuse to fade away.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into a Royal Ghost Story
Soha Ali Khan’s recollection of Pili Kothi offers a rare, intimate look at how a famous family’s past can become a vivid, whispered legend. Whether one believes in hauntings or not, the tale remains a compelling chapter in the saga of India’s royal-linked cineasts — a reminder that even in the world of silver screens, a ghost story can travel far and endure across generations.