His film may have been banned in Pakistan over ISI references, but Saif's uncle was a frontrunner for the post of the agency's chief

Saif Ali Khan's soon-to-be-released film has been banned in Pakistan allegedly due to certain references to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the country's premier spy agency.

But ironically the star's uncle Major General Isfandiyar Ali Pataudi was recently a front-runner to take over as the chief of the ISI. Isfandiyar is a cousin of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif's late father.

Isfandiyar is the son of Major General Mohammad Ali Pataudi, the younger brother of Tiger Pataudi's father Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. Isfandiyar is currently Deputy DG, ISI -- Pakistan army's second most sensitive appointment.

At the time of Partition, Major General Mohammad Ali Pataudi opted for the Pakistani army, while his elder brother, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, decided to pursue a cricketing career in India.

While on a visit to the Mid Day office to promote his film, when Saif was asked about his late father's family in Pakistan he said, "Yes, all of them are in distinguished positions. I am aware that his name was being mentioned for the ISI post."

Though he is not in touch with his relatives across the border, the star states that his father's side of the family who made Pakistan their home preferred to be in the army or government rather than pursue cricket like his father and grandfather.

Incidentally, Pakistan's new ISI chief, Lt Gen Zahir-ul-Islam, is the nephew of Indian National Army hero Shah Nawaz Khan and through him, shares a link with Shah Rukh Khan. SRK's late mother Lateef Fatima was the adopted daughter of Shah Nawaz Khan.