Saif Ali Khan: My connection with Shashi Kapoor predates Kareena

The first Prithvi annual festival was started in 1983.

The festival past 32 years has since been the time in the year when the entire theatre family, be it the performers or the audiences, come together to celebrate and show their love for the art and their Prithvi Theatre, a place that is so intimate and special, run by a legend Shashi Kapoor and now his son Kunal who have dedicated their entire lives to keeping the legacy of Prithviraj Kapoor and the dream of Jennifer Kapoor alive. Members of the 'Kapoor Khandaan' who are in town make it a point to be a part of the opening night and the opening of the 2015 festival again was one such. The opening night also had the very elegant Saif Ali Khan and his sister Soha join in the celebrations with the Kapoor family. Excerpts from a quick conversation with the nawab.

What does the Prithvi Theatre mean to you?
It means many things. I love theatre and there is something so special about Prithvi as it is so intimate and so close to the action. It's also special for the fact that the Kapoors have this legacy. I remember Shashi Kapoor coming to our home at Carmichael Road where I grew up. While he worked with my mum in films, he was friendly with both my parents and was probably the closest actor that I remember from those days. Even in those days he would come and talk to my parents about doing King Liar on stage. I remember as a child once he was going to a party and my father lent him his bandhgala. It's wonderful to see how Kunal has taken forward the family legacy. It's important for us in Mumbai to go out and participate in things like this that is done for promoting the arts and that is why I am here. It's beautiful to see how Prithvi brings together people and it's a place Mumbai can be proud of.

You are also linked to Prithvi through your wife Kareena.
Well, actually I am quite close to Kunal and my connection to him and Shashiji predates Kareena. So it's nothing to do with her in any way, though it's sweet that it's family also now. As a kid whenever I was on set with Kunal, I would annoy him often and drive him mad on set.

Have you ever thought of doing theatre?
I keep thinking of it but it's such a big commitment and a different kind of deal. And as usual, films pay you more so you land up doing films.

Is there any star that you would like to see doing theatre on stage?
I once saw superstar Orlando Bloom doing Romeo and Juliet. And he was totally upstaged by this theatre actor who played another key role in the play. But I have a video of Al Pacino's performance on stage. He and Dustin Hoffman are unbelievable on stage. I would love to see them live some day.