Bollywood Actor Saif Ali Khan stabbed at Mumbai home; stable after surgery, say doctors

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed at least six times by an attacker, who entered his Mumbai home in an attempted burglary on Jan 16, police said.

The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries to his neck and near the spine, is reportedly out of danger after undergoing surgery in Lilavati Hospital.

The police have confirmed that the attacker, who has been identified, entered the house at around 2.30 am via the fire escape in an attempt to rob the premises. The actor, however, tried to intervene, during which the accused stabbed him.

Saif's wife Kareena Kapoor and sons Taimur and Jeh were present in the house at the time of the incident, sources were quoted as saying.

A statement from Saif Ali Khan's team requested the "media and fans to be patient".

"There was an attempted burglary at Mr Saif Ali Khans residence. He is currently in hospital undergoing surgery. We request the media and fans to be patient. It is a police matter. We will keep you updated on the situation," a statement by Khan's team read.

Stabbed six times

According to Nitin Dange, a neurologist in Lilavati Hospital who performed the surgery, said the actor sustained two deep, two intermediary, and two superficial injuries, adding that part of a knife lodged inside the body was also removed.

"Saif Ali Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital at 2 am with a reported history of assault by an unknown individual. He sustained severe injuries to the thoracic spinal cord, with a knife lodged in the spine. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the knife and repair the leaking spinal fluid. Additionally, two deep wounds on his left hand and one on his neck were treated by the plastic surgery team. I am happy to confirm that Khan is completely stable now, recovering well, and is out of danger," Dange added.

In an initial statement earlier in the day, Lilavati Hospital confirmed that the actor was stabbed at least six times.

The attack on Khan came months after two men on a motorbike, allegedly belonging to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, opened fire outside Salman Khan's residence in Bandra.

Oppositions raise questions on Mumbai’s law & order

After the incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the attack on Saif Ali Khan raised questions on the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra's Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"The attack on Saif Ali Khan is a cause for concern because if such high profile people with levels of security can be attacked in their homes, then what could happen to common citizens? Fear of law seems to be at a low in Maharashtra due to leniencies in the past couple of years," Crasto said in a post on X.

"What a shame that Mumbai sees another high profile attempt on life, the attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police & the Home Minister,"Chaturvedi wrote on X.

NCP (SP) leader Clyde Crasto also questioned the law and order situation in Mumbai, adding that “fear of law seems to be at a low in Maharashtra due to leniencies in the past couple of years.”