The residence featured as Ranbir Kapoor’s house in “Animal” is, in fact, Saif Ali Khan’s Pataudi Palace.
Once again, Bollywood’s enchantment with extravagant estates and breathtaking locales takes the spotlight with the release of “Animal,” a film by Sandeep Reddy Vanga exploring the intricate dynamics between a father and son. Starring a cast of luminaries including Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Rashmika Mandanna, the film has garnered attention for its strong global start, crossing the Rs 400 crore mark at the box office according to a report.
With a lavish budget, the movie unfolds across diverse settings, spanning England, Scotland, Mumbai, Gurugram, Delhi, and Manali. However, a fascinating detail for the curious revolves around the opulent Singh family residence depicted in the movie—none other than the Rs 800 crore Pataudi Palace, owned by Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, a stalwart in the entertainment industry for nearly three decades.
Constructed in 1935 by Iftikhar Ali Khan, the last ruling Nawab of Pataudi, the palace transitioned to Saif Ali Khan in 2014 after his father’s demise. In a media interaction, Saif Ali Khan shared, “When my father died, the palace was rented to Neemrana Hotels. Aman (Nath) and Francis (Wacziarg) used to run (the hotel). Francis passed away. He’d said that if I wanted (the palace) back, I could let him know. I said that I want it back. They held a conference, and said, okay, you have to give us lots of money.”
Nestled in Pataudi, Haryana, the Pataudi Palace spans 10 acres and features 150 rooms, including various bedrooms, billiard rooms, multipurpose spaces, and dressing rooms. The estate includes an expansive outdoor swimming pool, a farming area, a separate stable, and more. Originally designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell in collaboration with Austrian architect Karl Moltz von Heinz, the palace showcases a seamless fusion of Indian and Islamic architectural styles. Notably, significant modifications were made to the interiors under Saif Ali Khan’s ownership.
The Pataudi Palace had previously graced the silver screen in two other Bollywood productions: “Veer Zaara,” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, and “Rang De Basanti,” featuring Aamir Khan, Siddharth, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan, and Kunal Kapoor, adding to its cinematic legacy.