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EXCLUSIVE: To judge medieval history with today's values is a little ill-informed - Saif on naming his son Taimur Ali Khan
Ahead of Rangoong, we caught up with Saif Ali Khan and spoke to him about the film, about his daughter Sara Ali Khan's debut in a Karan Johar movie and his and Kareena's first baby Taimur Ali Khan.
He is the quintessential Nawab redefining style and sarcasm. His uber cool attitude and quirky choice of roles has always got us drooling over him. We are talking about Saif Ali Khan. While the actor is currently gearing up for his much-talked about period drama Rangoon, he is simultaneously also shooting for Raja Krishna Menon's Chef. Amidst his hectic schedule, the handsome actor manages to squeeze time out for a quick chat. In a 30-minute long conversation, Saif Ali Khan gets candid about his second collaboration with Vishal Bhardwaj, working with Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut, being blessed with Taimur Ali Khan and the name controversy that followed, daughter Sara's big-fat Bollywood debut and more. Read on...
Saif, you were the first one with whom Vishal Bhardwaj had discussed the script of Rangoon...
Yes, it was more than three-four years ago. I don't know if you guys were around. I think he would have discussed it with Ajay Devgn too because this was during Omkara's time. It was a very ambitious film then. Not that I am an expert, but in my humble opinion, it was ahead of its time then, but Vishal always has done films like that. It would have been an expensive film then because the VFX has made so much advance now. But I think this is the perfect time to make the film and ofcourse with the perfect cast.
How was it working for the first time with both Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut?
There is a kind of an unspoken code of conduct between actors. With Shahid, I got along very well and easily. He is a well behaved guy. And that was fine. Kangana and I also had a great time. She is a fantastic actress. They both are fantastic actors. Kangana is very nice to me and I am very fond of her. It has just been a pleasure with both of them.
What about Vishal Bhardwaj with whom you are collaborating after the much successful Omkara?
He is exactly the same. As innovating and as exciting as ever. After a shot he will give wonderful ideas to improve your performance. He is an actor's director and he himself is an actor. He can extract the wonderful performance out of you. He has done it in the past and he has done it again.
During Happy Ending, you had told me that all your life you have done two hero films and very late in your career you established yourself as a successful solo hero. So what made you venture into the two hero space again with Rangoon?
First of all, you shouldn't take whatever I say seriously (laughs). I would have meant it at that time. But I probably am happy that I am no longer playing a second lead in a film anymore. After Hum Tum my situation improved and that is something that I don't look forward going to. But in a movie, if I have a good role, then why not. I mean more the merrier.
Does a Friday release still make you nervous?
Of course it does. I mean there are so many people who have worked hard on this film and it is so important for many. A lot depends on its fate. I have worked with Vishal because he gives me an incredible role and I feel like a complete actor. In that sense I am completely satisfied. The box-office performance of this film is important but the half of me is already satisfied.
How was it shooting for Koffee with Karan?
It is always fun. He is a witty guy and I am very fond of Karan. He is a good host for that show. It is little bit of non sense. It is an opportunity like every other interview to show what kind of a personality you are. But I mean, like he also says, things don't need to be taken seriously.
Reportedly, Shahid and you exchanged daddy tips when you both met for the shoot of the show. Any truth?
No that is rubbish. I don't think we need to give daddy tips to each other because that is weird. But I am obviously very happy for him and we congratulated each other because Taimur and Misha happened around the same time. But to swap notes sounds a bit girly (laughs).
Talking about Taimur, his picture literally broke the internet. And so did his name. Were you and Kareena upset about the entire controversy that ensued later?
Well, the idea is not to offend anyone. I am not a big fan of controversies and not at times when they add trouble these days. So, you know, I am obviously very happy and it is a wonderful time. We can just focus on that and it will be nice if you let the kid out of it. He is kind of born into a lot of attention and he is a star already and we will have to get used to that. We will have to accept that in a nice way and we hope it doesn't impact him negatively. And I think he will have to be aware that he will be the cynosure of all eyes. He will be the focus of a lot of attention. The idea is to give him good values and bring him up in the balanced way and not let him be spoilt or get carried away. And we are managing farely ok and Sara is fine so I am sure he will be too. This is the name I have grown up hearing and I have liked it. And my wife liked it too. There was no controversy around it then. This was unexpected. I haven't named my son after anybody. It is just a name. But even then, to kind of judge medieval history with today's values is a little ill-informed. Our son will grow up with secular values and be grounded as we are. He will be a good ambassador for his country and family where ever he goes. That is the most important thing. I felt like giving the disclaimer. I think social media is a kind of environment where people question, argue, freak out and support. It is fine. It doesn't really mean anything. Nobody is burning a house down. It is their opinion. Sometimes good sometimes bad. It is absolutely okay.
You will next be seen in Chef. How is the movie shaping up? When do you begin the US schedule?
Well it is not really a schedule. We wrapped up the India schedule and there is about three days of shoot in the US. But it is a big film while the original is a small Indie movie. The Hindi film version is big covering geographically from New York to Kerala to Amritsar, Delhi, Goa. So it is like kind of all over the place. It is a father-son story, it is about a husband and wife divorce-marriage story. It is about redemption and second chances. So it is quite a deep film. Raja Menon is one of the brightest and dedicated filmmakers I have worked with and he has got a different take to things. Not different but matured and sensitive take. He has made, well I hope one of the best films that I have been a part of. I am very lucky to have got him as a director at this stage after he did Airlift. It is a big hit. He could have done anything after this but the producers asked him to write this script. And when they asked him his first choice, he said Saif Ali Khan. That is a great compliment. I hope I have given him something to be proud of.
Have you finally learnt cooking? And do you now make pasta for Kareena as promised?
Yes. It took a bit longer than I planned to. I spent many hours learning that. And my director is not the one to be easily impressed but he said my cutting of garlic and onions is world class. So I am feeling good about it (laughs).
And what about Kaala Kaandi?
The status is that it is done and Akshat Verma is locking his edits as we speak. It is a very intelligent and a very nice film made at a small budget and hence can be happily made commercial. It is a story about three people of different strata that run across Mumbai. It is the filmy underworld, by that I mean these two Underworld boys - played by Vijay Raaz and Deepak Dobriyal, who are involved with the underworld and speak that language. So they have shot that story in a particular way and light. And then they have shot middle class Mumbai and then a slightly upper middle-class Mumbai. We are speaking Hindi, Marathi, English... So it is a smattering of what Mumbai is. I am very proud of that. It releases this year. We are looking for a May release.
Your last few films didn't do well. Did that bother you?
Like you say, if these films didn't do well for whatever reason, I thought about that and one thing I got confidence out of, is the three directors in question that have me as their first choice. It isn't like they offered the films to others and then it came to me. So that makes me feel good and I think on a good day, I know my job. I have given it my best and so let's see what happens.
Sara is all set to step into Bollywood. How ecstatic are you? There are reports that she is debuting under Karan Johar's banner - Dharma Productions?
I think she is going to. I am very happy she is working with Karan Johar because I think he is brilliant with newcomers and he will launch her correctly. He is a very intelligent and a passionate filmmaker and he understands films. I am very pleased that she is with him.
Lastly, there are reports that you would be working with Aanand L. Rai next. Any truth?
Yes there is. It is a little early to talk. We haven't signed it yet. There is a little bit of talk. It is yet to be pen to paper. But in principle it is very much on but it is a little early to talk. But since you have heard of it, so well ya... (laughs).
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