10 Indian celebrities whose royal lineage you probably didn't know about

India is made up of many princely states, whose independent reign concluded with an independent India. While royals may no longer rule, they are still titularly present in India. Many Bollywood celebrities also happen to be descendants of Indian royalty or may own a royal title. Keep reading to find out about the currently active famous Indian celebrities that come from a royal bloodline.

Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan

Known as the Nawab of Bollywood, Saif Ali Khan is the 10th nawab of Pataudi. While he holds the title of Nawab, his sister Soha Ali Khan, who was born after the abolition of royalty, missed out on a title. Their grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, was the last official nawab of the region, while their grandmother, Sajida Sultan, was the Begum of Bhopal. 

Naseeruddin Shah

The veteran Bollywood actor, Naseeruddin Shah, comes from a family of Nawabs. His great-great-grandfather was the Afghan warlord Jan-Fishan Khan, who became Nawab of Sardhanain Uttar Pradesh

Riya Sen and Raima Sen

The daughters of actress Moon Moon Sen and granddaughters of Suchitra Sen, Riya and Raima's paternal grandmother, Ila Devi, was the daughter of King Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda. Their great-grandmother was Indira Raje, the princess of Cooch Behar.

Sagrika Ghatge

Sagarika Ghatge, best known for her performance in Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De India, is a descendant of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. Her father, Vijaysinh Ghatge, belongs to the royal family of Kagal, while her grandmother, Sita Raje Ghatge, was the daughter of Tukojirao Holkar III of Indore, the Maharaja of Indore.

Manisha Koirala

Manisha Koirala belongs to the royal family of Nepal, who were also prominent names in Nepalese politics. The Heeramandi actress is the granddaughter of ex-Prime Minister of Nepal, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. Apart from him, three other members of her family also served terms as Prime Minister. Her father, Prakash Koirala, served a term in the union cabinet as well.

Aditi Rao Hydari

Both the parents of Aditi Rao Hydari are royal descendants. The actress is the great-granddaughter of Akbar Hydari, the former Prime Minister of Hyderabad. Aditi Rao Hydari’s mother, Vidya Rao, is the step-daughter of Raja J. Rameshwar Rao, the last ruling raja of the Wanaparthy royal family based in modern-day Telangana.

Kiran Rao

Filmmaker Kiran Rao comes from the royal family of Nizam in Hyderabad. Her paternal grandfather, J. Rameshwar Rao, the erstwhile Raja of Wanaparthy state, ruled from 1944 until 1971. She is a first cousin to actress Aditi Rao Hydari.

Bhagyashree

Best known for her performance in Maine Pyar Kiya, Bhagyashree hails from the royal Patwardhan family of Sangli in Maharashtra. Her father, Vijay Pathwardhan, is the titular raja of Sangli.