Saif Ali Khan returns home

Family praises domestic help for bravery during terrifying invasion

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was discharged from Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday after suffering severe injuries during a stabbing attack at his Bandra residence last Thursday.

Khan's home was illuminated in celebration upon his return. According to India Today, Khan and his wife, actor Kareena Kapoor, plan to reward their domestic helper, Eliyamma Philip, for her extraordinary courage during the terrifying home invasion.

Prayers and concern

Many of Khan's fans and peers have been expressing deep regrets since the time this incident came to light. Indian actor Shatrughan Sinha penned a note of concern on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Khan.

"Very sad and unfortunate [is] the tragic attack on our near, dear, and loved Saif Ali Khan that injured him severely. Thank God he is healing well to recovery. Profound regards to my all time favorite 'show man' filmmaker Raj Kapoor's granddaughter Kareena Kapoor Khan and the family," Sinha wrote.

"One humble appeal please stop the 'blame game'," he further urged. "Police are doing their job well. We certainly appreciate our CM and HM, Maharashtra Dev Fadnavis for his concern and remedial measures. Let's not complicate the matter further. The matter will be solved soon. [The] sooner the better. Thanks to Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and our friend Mieknath Shinde for their kind words, extreme care, and efforts."

Sinha ended his heartfelt note by lauding Khan's contributions to the industry. "After all, Saif is one of the most brilliant stars/actors, and also both a Padmashri and National Award winner. [The] law will take its own course as things are moving in the right direction. Get well soon," he wished.

Telugu actor Chiranjeevi Konidela also reacted to the news on X by writing, "Deeply disturbed by news of the attack by an intruder on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery."

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr, popularly known as JR NTR, also wrote, "Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health."

Actor and director Pooja Bhatt raised her concerns with the Mumbai police online, urging for the "lawlessness" to be "curbed" in the city. "We need more police presence in Bandra. The city and especially the queen of the suburbs have never felt so unsafe before," she appealed.

A harrowing incident

On January 16, an intruder broke into Khan and Kapoor's son Jehangir's room. Philip reportedly raised the alarm and intervened, placing herself between the attacker and Khan. Despite her bravery, Khan sustained six stab wounds, while Philip also suffered injuries during the altercation.

Khan was rushed to the hospital past midnight, where surgeons removed a three-inch knife fragment lodged in his back. Both Khan and Philip received medical treatment and are now recovering.

Khan's sister, Saba Pataudi, commended Philip's bravery on social media, writing, "The unsung heroes… who literally pulled their weight when it mattered most! Bless you both and all those who contributed in keeping my brother and his family safe! You are the best!"

The assailant's motives

Philip is assisting authorities in the ongoing investigation. The assailant, identified as Bangladeshi national Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, is currently in police custody. According to Pinkvilla, Shehzad targeted Khan's residence randomly, intending to rob someone wealthy to fund his mother's medical treatment in Bangladesh.

"Shehzad chose Saif's residence at random. His sole aim was to steal from someone rich and escape to Bangladesh with the loot to help his ailing mother," the Mumbai police stated. An officer added that Shehzad's desperation was triggered by losing his job in December.

During interrogation, Shehzad revealed that he stabbed Khan multiple times in an attempt to escape. After fleeing the apartment, he reportedly hid in the garden for two hours before being apprehended in Thane on January 19.

'Leave us alone'

In the aftermath of the attack, Kareena Kapoor turned to Instagram to address the media and fans. "It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded," she wrote.

Kapoor appealed for privacy, acknowledging the concern of fans while highlighting the risks posed by relentless media coverage. "While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family," she wrote.

As media speculation continued, Kapoor issued a firmer plea, resharing a now-deleted video on Instagram Stories. "Stop this now. Have a heart. Leave us alone. For God's sake," she urged.

Both Saif Ali Khan and Eliyamma Philip continue their recovery, while the investigation into the attack remains ongoing.