'Sad to see ppl turning their back on Sajid' -Saif

Juggling between two films, the promotions of Go Goa Gone and the shooting of Bullett Raja, Saif Ali Khan can hardly indulge in a breather these days. But when he does get some me-time, this actor-filmmaker turns to books. "I read a lot whenever I get some free time," says the actor who is currently in Lucknow.

And, he has also taken to praying, he says. "I have started saying prayers, which is something very new to me. But then I also need to have my glass of whisky, just to confuse people on whether I'm a good Muslim or a bad one," he laughs, adding, "My Man Friday Abdul doesn't like that and says that I will go to hell, but I don't agree with him."
The actor who has had a plush urban upbringing seems to have grown rather fond of the hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh where he is shooting now. "I don't want to go home. UP is lovely, although it is very crowded. I have been here for two-and-a-half-months now and I am starting to love the place," Saif says.

But staying away from Mumbai hasn't let him stay away from controversies. Saif is still miffed with the accusations that Goa has been misrepresented in his film Go Goa Gone. "This is the height of hypocrisy. Tomorrow, they'll say don't have action scenes in your film as they promote violence! Goa is the party capital of India. What is the problem if we show a pretty girl in a bikini? The days of aunties swimming in salwars are gone. People are piggybacking on my film to get publicity and I am very angry about it. Where is the freedom of expression?"

In an industry that is earmarked by diplomacy, Saif has been very vocal about supporting Sajid Khan in the ongoing Himmatwala controversy.

"I saw the film and there is nothing wrong in making your version of an 80s film? Why should he be judged based on one film? Where would I be today if people judged me on the basis of Agent Vinod? The industry is operated by parasites and I am saddened that everyone is turning their backs on him," Saif says.

While he has had a successful run as a producer, Saif harbours no ambition of becoming a director. "Directing actors is not something that I understand. As an actor, I often need to be told by the director what to do, and I don't think that would have been the case if there were a director in me," he says.

As 40-plus superstars like him continue to pack a punch on screen, the young brigade is fast playing catch up, so does that make him nervous? "I don't think it's a question of being nervous. Everyone's careers and lives will come to an end some day. I think we need to be a bit philosophical about this. It's all about making the most of now' I see a film like Bullett Raja and I'm so proud of having done something like that. And I still feel I have a few of those left in me. The future is always in the hands of the youth, there's no point being nervous about that. What matters is that when you retire you should be able to tell yourself 'I've had my time and I have made the most of that time'."

As a film industry, Saif feels Bollywood has a long way to go. "It's okay to be inspired but the two industries shouldn't be compared. Like Rudyard Kipling has said, 'The East is east and the West is west and never the twain shall meet'. As far as the Indian film industry is concerned, I feel we have a long way to go. We need to improve a lot on production design, we need more original ideas and good writers. Our industry is so huge but still we have just five to six actors and five to six directors. That's shocking. We need more people in the industry. But I do feel we are making progress on that front."

While the nation is gripped with the IPL fever, Saif, despite his cricketing roots has chosen to stay away from it. "Cricket is something that's very special to me and I have a deep understanding and interest in the game. But, I have no intention of getting associated with the IPL, owning a team or anything else. I think IPL is boring."