Mumbai police have arrested a man believed to be a Bangladeshi national in connection with the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. The shocking attack, which took place on Thursday during a burglary attempt at Khan’s home, left the 54-year-old star requiring surgery for multiple stab wounds.
The suspect, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was using the alias Vijay Das and working for a housekeeping agency in Mumbai after allegedly entering India illegally. He was apprehended on the outskirts of Mumbai, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam confirmed during a press conference.
“Primary evidence suggests that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen who changed his identity upon entering India,” Gedam said. The police are seeking custody of the suspect to further investigate the case.
Khan was stabbed six times in his home during what police described as a burglary attempt. Despite his injuries, Khan managed to walk into the hospital wearing blood-soaked clothes, accompanied by his six-year-old son, Taimur.
Doctors performed surgery to treat wounds to Khan’s back, neck, and hands. “If the knife had penetrated any further, there would have been an injury to the spine,” said Dr. Niraj Uttamnani, adding that Khan narrowly avoided severe damage by just two millimeters.
A key suspect was detained on Friday, and another person was arrested in Chhattisgarh on Saturday as part of the investigation. Police are piecing together the events leading up to the attack and the suspect’s role in the incident.
Khan, the son of cricket legend Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, is a prominent figure in the Indian film industry. He and his wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, are among Bollywood’s most celebrated power couples. Together, they have starred in over 60 films.
Kapoor Khan addressed the media frenzy in an Instagram post last week, urging restraint:
“The constant attention is overwhelming and poses a significant risk to our safety,” she wrote, asking the paparazzi and media to refrain from relentless speculation.
The attack has sparked widespread calls for improved policing and security measures in Mumbai, with residents and the film industry expressing concern over the safety of public figures.
Khan is now stable and out of danger, doctors confirmed, but the incident has left an indelible mark on the Bollywood community and fans alike.