The Bengal Files director Vivek Agnihotri takes a dig at Saif Ali Khan for naming his son Taimur: ‘No Indian should…’

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has responded to the rumours that a line from the trailer for his next movie, The Bengal Files, was directed at Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan for naming their older son Taimur. In a recent interview, Agnihotri explained that the reference wasn't directed at any particular individual but reflected his larger belief that Indians should not name their children after historical figures who caused immense suffering. He reminded people that Timur, also known as Taimur, invaded India in 1398, wreaking havoc after realizing the Tughlaq dynasty was at its weakest.

What did Vivek Agnihotri say about Taimur?

Agnihotri shared his personal experience of visiting Timur's tomb while filming The Tashkent Files in Samarkand. He recalled that the inscription outside celebrated Timur's conquest of the Delhi Sultanate, one of the richest kingdoms of its time. Despite being offered the title of Emperor, Timur refused to accept it until he had captured Delhi. "He massacred nearly one lakh people in one night," Agnihotri said, adding that Timur's campaign of destruction continued from Delhi to Kashmir. While Timur may be revered in his homeland, Agnihotri stressed that he cannot be considered a hero in India. He added, "Nobody should name their child Taimur. It shouldn't even be a question."

This debate is not new for Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who faced significant backlash in 2016 when they named their firstborn Taimur. Saif later admitted in an interview with Delhi Times that the controversy shook him, and he even considered changing his son's name. "For a couple of weeks, I thought about it," Saif said, revealing that Kareena encouraged him to stand by their decision. "So I said, yeah, but it's not about people. I don't want him to get unpopular. And I still might, maybe when he's one or two, I might change his name in a while, it's still sinking in, what to do," said Saif.

Kareena, too, has spoken about the controversy on several occasions. She admitted that the constant chatter around her son's name affected her deeply. Speaking to Miss Malini last year, Kareena said that while Taimur himself remains unaware of the controversy, he has grown up surrounded by immense attention and love from the public. "He is slowly beginning to understand that there is a culture where people follow him and click his pictures," she said, adding that as he grows older, he will eventually learn how to process it all.