Saif Ali Khan

Bhopal, April 11: Saif Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore appear to have established a deep emotional bond with the people of Bhopal, seven months after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s death.

Saif and Sharmila mingled with hundreds of people at an event to give away the first Mansoor Ali Khan Tiger Pataudi memorial “real life hero award”. Old-timers said this was their first such public interaction in years.

Saif, proclaimed the Nawab of Pataudi after his father’s death in line with tradition, conferred the prize on Aamir Ahmed Khan, a former national-level hockey player and local Samaritan who is known for his work on literacy, community service and social welfare.

Sharmila, who arrived before Saif, has also been visiting mosques and gardens built by Pataudi’s grandfather and other members of the Bhopal royal family.

During one such visit, she was dismayed to see the poor state of a park around the grave of Nawab Hamidullah Khan. The huge garden, once full of life when Tiger’s mother Sajida was Bhopal’s regent, is now a picture of neglect. Sharmila told aides she wanted the glory restored.

But the mother-son’s quest to connect has been far from smooth. Barely a month ago, Saif was shown black flags when he was in town to promote Agent Vinod.

He seemed unaware of a row over his family’s handling of Rubats — two prime properties in Mecca and Medina belonging to the nawabs of Bhopal.

In 1819, the first woman ruler of Bhopal, Begum Qusia, had performed Haj and decided to arrange accommodation for Bhopalis in Mecca and Medina. Over the years, most pilgrims from Bhopal have been staying free of cost in the buildings, which can accommodate around 300.

Sharmila Tagore with daughter Soha at a campaign launch in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI)

Qusia had willed that a Bhopali should look after the properties. However, after Pataudi’s death last September, a Saudi national was appointed the caretaker of the Rubats, causing disquiet in Bhopal.

A delegation of religious leaders had visited Mecca-Medina but the issue was not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. Later, Sharmila told the Bhopal qazi and other religious heads that their views would be honoured. The issue has been resolved amicably.

The efforts appeared to have struck a chord. Bhopal Congress MLA Arif Aqueel, known for his criticism of the Pataudis, praised the family yesterday.

“Begum (Sharmila) you must communicate directly with us and more often. Intermediaries and cronies tend to complicate issues for their vested interests. You belong to us and we belong to you,” he said in his speech at the awards event.

For Saif, black flags seemed to have given way to lusty cheers. “I am quite moved by your initiative of starting the Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Award for outstanding and valuable contributions (to society),” Saif said in his speech.

“I want to congratulate you, Aamir Ahmed Khan, you may be an unsung hero but you are our real role model. May Bhopal produce many more young men of character like Aamir and I am there to sing for your contributions.”

Sharmila echoed the sentiment. “Let’s us take this Tiger trophy to greater heights in the times to come. I am all appreciation for this award in the memory of my husband who always admired selfless, purposeful efforts.”

Playwright Hamidullah ‘Mamun’, who also addressed the gathering, welcomed the Pataudis’ decision to honour a “real achiever”. “The choice of Aamir as the first recipient reflects a change of mindset. The young generation of Muslims is trying to eradicate illiteracy, poverty and corruption,” he said.

“Look at Aamir’s love for hockey. He withdrew money from his provident fund to revive the Obaidullah Khan hockey tournament. On cold winter nights, he distributes blankets, boiled eggs to the poor. Every week, he goes to slums with a water tanker so that children can take a bath and learn about hygiene.”