Handle with care-Saif Ali khan

Saif Ali Khan has been lying low. The actor, who is filming for Tashan, has been strictly instructed by producers Yashraj Films to curb down on his appearances at social dos and other parties. The actor cannot afford to get photographed till the film is completely shot. The reason being that the actor is sporting a different look - handle-bar moustache and over-grown mane.

The buzz is that Yashraj Films is making all efforts to closely guard this film, also starring Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. Post the double debacle (read Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) at the box office the production company is very anxious about the fate of its other films. Apart from the customary gag order that bars actors from talking about the film, the cast members have been asked to stay away from shutter bugs.

Saif, who dubbed for a television commercial last evening at the Yashraj Studios, surprised everyone with his new look. Says an eyewitness present at the studio, "His cropped-hair-and-overgrown-stubble look may have been popular. But we have never seen him sporting a fine moustache like this before."

Post Omkara the actor had fondly embraced his stubble look. Close friends inform that he is fond of the grizzly beard too. Says a reliable source close to the actor, "Whenever he is not filming he is too reluctant to shave. He is quite happy about his new handle-bar moustache."