MUMBAI: The Pataudi scion might be a Nawab by birth, but the struggle to rule Bollywood is a difficult one. Stars have come and gone from the Indian film industry, but not all of them have been able to create the cinematic impact that Saif Ali Khan has. After over two decades as an actor, and now as a producer, Saif says his best investment ever has been to join the Indian movie industry.
“My best investment is to join Bollywood; it such a good investment. The business is doubling. When we started, things were not the same. It’s a great time now for film-makers and actors,” Saif, who made his acting debut with 1992 film Parampara, said in an interview.
From featuring in potboilers like Yeh Dillagi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Kachche Dhaage and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United, Saif went on to do varied roles post-2000. Saif was seen in a different avatar in Dil Chahta Hai, and then went on to star in key roles in movies like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Ek Hasina Thi, Hum Tum, Parineeta and Salaam Namaste.
Later, Omkara came along as a role that would allow Saif to re-define his image, after which he turned in noticeable performances in films like Race, Tashan, Love Aaj Kal, Kurbaan and Aarakshan. Now awaiting the release of action flick Bullett Raja, the National Award-winning actor is glad to be a part of the present “exciting phase” in Indian cinema, where “experimentation” seems to be the key.
“I don’t think I could have done such a role [in Bullett Raja] two or five years back,” said the 43-year-old, who plays a gangster in the Tigmanshu Dhulia-directed film which releases on Friday. “Now I think I am ready for these kinds of roles. I feel I have understood my work, and different kinds of films are being made. So, it’s an exciting phase,” he added.
In fact, Saif is now convinced that an actor should do films other than just commercial ones. Citing the example of his mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, Saif said: “If you look at my mother, she was a box office star, but she also did a lot of [different] cinema with Gulzar sahib. It adds dimension to you [as an actor].”
The gist, as he sees it, is that since “the industry is growing, one should not limit oneself against doing different kinds of films”. Even as he is busy producing Hindi films under the banner of Illuminati Films, Saif is not a Bollywood buff. “I don’t watch Hindi films! I don’t know why,” said the actor, who spent time in England for his studies.
“During my childhood, I remember watching Doordarshan and Nirupama Roy crying on screen. That time I decided to watch [Hindi] comedy films. “Then I saw my mother’s film … even she was crying, and I didn’t want to see her crying, so I stopped watching Hindi movies altogether. I respect cinema, but I don’t watch Hindi films because I want to escape from my work after I finish working.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2013.
Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.