Being Saif!

By Poonam Bisht
Have you ever heard of an actor who was ridiculed for being 'awkward and girlish' (ya you read it right), in his debut film (with none other than the Bollywood's 'box office rulers' – The Chopras)? What made the things even worse for him was the fact that he was the son of a famous personality who himself was termed as 'Tiger' because of his brilliant leadership qualities and grand style.

Imagine the plight of this fellow, who was booed for 'not looking man enough' to handle powerful lead roles. However, with sheer hard work and dedication over all these years, he turned the impossible 'possible'. He did not have a la Sunny Deol body, Aamir Khan-like perfection or Shahrukh Khan's charms. So what? If he couldn't have a typical 'Bollywood hero's style', with his perseverance, he actually transformed 'the stereotype'. He made the public develop 'a taste of his own style'.

Once termed as the 'not-so-Khan type' Khan, he is today, amongst the most valued (in terms of money as well as adulation) actor in the industry and also amongst the most versatile. Believe it or not, but he can actually be credited for breaking the concept of 'tough guys don't wear pink' or 'pink is the colour of only svelte, beautiful actresses'.

Not a hero material

As Saif, the only son of the 9th Nawab of Pataudi (in Bhopal), the legendary former captain of Indian cricket team, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and one of the most respected actresses, the dignified Sharmila Tagore, grew up, he wanted to be a cricketer like his father and grandfather. But later his interest drifted towards his mother's profession, so he took to acting.

However, within a few months of his debut in Bollywood, he realised that he was on his own in this world. The royal connection of this 'Chhote Nawab' as he was fondly called by friends and well-wishers, never facilitated his success. On the contrary, his 'blue (and film) blood' only added to his troubles as he was expected to excel like his parents very early in his career.

From Day One, he was ripped apart by the critics (keeping in mind his pathetic acting, meek voice and unbelievably bad dance moves they were not totally at fault). Just remember how uneasy he looked in song "Adhi raat to pedhon ki chhaon mein……" in Parampara. Some critics even went to the extent of saying, "He is 'Sharmila' sans dupatta." Boy! Who could have believed that the same guy would turn out to be one of the most talented, handsome and credible actors in the coming years.

Despite landing up with some good roles in movies like Pehchaan, Yeh Dillagi or Main Anari Tu Khiladi, Saif found Bollywood turf too tough to survive as he went on deliver a series of flops like Suraksha, Imtihaan, Ek Tha Raja. He faced the worst of times during 1996 to 1999 but remained brace-faced to critics' jibes on his effeminate looks (considered then) and meek voice. Media too remained harsh on him by commenting on his marriage to Amrita Singh, a tough-looking actress (five years older to him). But thanks to his wife's support, he didn't run away from the battle.

Saif arrived!

2000 brought some good time for the struggling actor. He received good reviews for the much-appreciated movie Kya Kehna, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein but it was in 2001 that he bounced back in real style. He, along with Aftab Shivdasani and Fardeen Khan tickled the audience in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. He realised where his strength lies in as an actor (at that stage of his career)- Comedy…ya this is where he belonged to and was perfect in. Perhaps, debutante director Farhan Akhtar too judged his true worth and cast him in the trendsetter 'Dil Chahta Hai' in the amusing character of Sameer- the confused guy who would fall in love with a new girl at the drop of hat before discovering true love.

The Metrosexual Icon!

DCH proved the turning point of his career. Saif perfected the character so well that he actually left the entire film industry (critics too) and fans spell-bound with his performance. Interestingly, he was still the same cute-faced urban guy (with shorter hairstyle) and unusual voice. But he clicked with the audience. They learnt to accept him as the way he was without inhibitions. He never looked back since then.

Saif's fortunes changed completely after 2003. With Dharma Productions' 'Kal Ho Na Ho', Saif actually became a youth icon. Critics said that he gave 'The King Khan' a run for his money in the movie through his sizzling performance. Ever since the release of the movie, thanks to Saif, pink ceased to become the favourite colour of girls only. Saif gave a new dimension to the concept of 'The Metrosexual Man'- The 'clean-shaved' hunk, who's not afraid of showing off his waxed chest, well-manicured hands and pastel coloured wardrobe.

From his not-so-Khan type image, he became the hottest Khan around. After conquering the territory of comedy (different, subtle yet influential-devoid of Govinda-like loud tones), he decided to explore other areas. As the antagonist in Ram Gopal Verma's Ek Hasina Thi, he allowed the audience to devour full view of another dimension of his talent- the negative shade.

Shed his solo tag!

It was indeed an enriching experience for the audience to witness the vegetable growth of Saif as an actor-slow and gradual with no overnight effects. Boy! He had matured. But, what he still needed to do was to shed the tag of a multi-star actor… And he did it with superhit 'Hum Tum'. Karan Kapoor's transformation from an 'easy-going cool dude who gives a damn to anything' to a serious, mature lover in the movie went down so well with the viewers and critics, that it won him his first 'National Award'.

Versatality King

Saif took the audience by surprise again with his portrayal of a jealous, passionate lover in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's screen version of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhya's 'Parineeta'. He made the character look so natural, so real. Before Saif could even realise it, he had already entered into 'Territory of Versatality' (ruled so far by the likes of Aamir Khan).

It was further substantiated by his remarkable performance in a completely off-beat English film 'Being Cyrus'in which he played a murderer. Going by his work, the movie would remain a high-point in his career. Today, Saif has mastered the very art called acting. Love, passion, romance, emotion, comedy- you name it and he delivers it in style.

While his career was witnessing a huge jump, his personal life too was going through a major overhaul. He parted ways with wife Amrita to start a new life with Italian girlfriend Rosa.

Saif is today the most bankable star in the country and is already the hot property overseas. He has become extremely choosy about the roles he is signing and is in no mood to compromise on that front. Having proved himself in all acting departments, his incessant hunger to better his previous job compelled him to enter into the area where his hot urban looks and elite education had denied him- to play rustic a character. Just when the critics' knives were ready to attack him on this department-he signed 'Omkara'-Vishal Bhardwaj's Hindi screen adaptation of 'Othello'.

Saif is playing the main antagonist Langda Tyagi (Iago)- rustic from UP mafia. His looks and dialogues in the movie appeared perfectly in sync with the character. It is incredible the way Saif has picked up the local dialect in the movie. He seemed to have put his heart and soul to perfect the character. Going by the latest reviews, Saif has stolen the limelight in the movie.

Starting as an awkward, reluctant hero in Parampara to almost-perfect actor in Omkara-the guy has indeed come a long way. His work so far is proof enough that there is something about Saif!!