2 new Interviews. Posting both.
Being a bachelor is fine till a certain age: Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan tells us why he decided to get married and why he is worried about his daughter.
Saif Ali Khan, who has just landed in Mumbai from London, has plunged straightaway into the promotions of Race 2, releasing next Friday.
A part from the fact that the movie is packed with some highvoltage action sequences and was shot at exotic locales in Turkey, the film has a dual advantage 'a hit franchise and a long Republic Day weekend.
And Saif is hopeful that the movie would make it to the 'most saleable' bracket. However, apart from the movie, the actor voiced his concern on various social issues when we caught up with him.
You are looking lean and fit.
Thanks to all those post-wedding parties I had put on some weight. But Tigmanshu Dhulia took me out of the social circuit of Patuadi and Mumbai and whisked me off to Lucknow for Bullet Raja. I was on a regulated diet, would have dinner early, watch TV serials, wake up early and hit the gym. That helped me knock off the extra kilos.
So, what's your New Year's resolution?
I want to look better and work with interesting people. I want to do as much work as I can, but also have fun. Kareena and I go to Gstaad every year for our annual vacation. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world but most rich kids I came across there live in a different world- a world of spas and luxury.
The cushy life has turned these youngsters almost effeminate. I want to make sure I have my feet grounded in reality. I want to work hard and earn my holiday! I cherish these annual vacations with Kareena. But at the same time, we are two different people and just because we are in a relationship, it doesn't mean we have to be together 24 x 7. We do our own things separately and yet manage to spend quality time together.
Kareena had once said marriage was just a piece of paper. So, was it important to sign this piece of paper and make the relationship official?
It was. Because ultimately we are social creatures. Money can help you live your life independent of social norms, but you still belong to a society. Being a bachelor is fine, but only till a certain age.
Also, especially in India , there's a huge difference between introducing the woman you love as your girlfriend and introducing her as your wife.
When you were getting married there was talk about some close relatives boycotting the wedding over communal issues. True?
India is a large country and there is bound to be different opinions on any given topic. It doesn't bother me. I would never invite anyone who would talk of boycotting the wedding on religious grounds.
In fact, with all the medieval honour killings still taking place in various parts of the country, I agree with what Dr B R Ambedkar had advocated- the more inter-communal marriages, the better it is for our secular country.
I believe religion is about spirituali"ty; my wife and I are independent people and free to lead our lives the way we want. That's how it should be; unfortunately it isn't the case with every couple. And that is why I feel all the more blessed today!
Your mother (Sharmila Tagore) and your sister (Saba Ali Khan) live in Delhi, you must be concerned for their safety following the recent gang rape and almost daily assaults on women?
What happened to that poor girl is disturbing. It's hard to even imagine that human beings are capable of perpetrating such cruelty on fellow human beings. I see it as the fallout of the increasing gap between the privileged and the poor.
On one hand we see tremendous economic boom, on the other, we read of farmer suicides, caste-related killings and such horrific rapes. Rapes unfortunately are not new, what is new is this kind of public outrage. I hope it leads to better protection of our women.
You have a teenage daughter, would you want to send her away to a 'safer' country?
As a dad I'm protective about Sara, but at the same time I believe you can't rewrite what's in your destiny. You'd think a public bus in Delhi at 9.30 pm would be safe. You'd think Mumbai is safe even till much later. You'd think Indians are kind and civilized people. And then you learn otherwise. Where do I send Sara? Which part of the world is safe today?
I've never chased numbers: Saif Ali Khan
By Aakanksha Naval-Shetye | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
Actor Saif Ali Khan recently returned from London where he was vacationing with wife, actress Kareena Kapoor. Now, post their "well-earned annual indulgence", the nawab sahab has plunged back into work. After the soon-to-release Race 2, the actor has Tigmanshu Dhulia's Bullet Raja and other films to look forward to apart from his own production. As we catch up with Saif for a quick tete-a-tete, he talks about his films, and also about life after marriage...
You and Kareena both have a busy year ahead. Do you plan your shooting schedules to coincide with your breaks?
Yes, it's going to be a very busy year as always. We do try and coordinate our dates so that we both get to spend time with each other. But given the nature of our work, that's not always possible. Besides, Kareena and I both believe in giving each other space and some time off even from each other. So, that's also why our annual break is so important to us.
How has marriage changed you?
Things changed the day Kareena became a part of my life. I am more health-conscious thanks to Bebo (laughs). It's difficult to pinpoint what the difference between a boyfriend and a husband is. All I can say is that it's different, yet not so different at all...
Do you have any rules for each other as far as professional decisions are concerned?
No, both Bebo and I hold our work and professional commitments in high regard. And there's equal respect for each other personally and professionally. We never put restrictions on the other. In fact, we rarely discuss work.
As a Bollywood Khan, does the number game affect you?
No, I have never chased numbers and I don't believe that films are a sport where you have to beat someone. Work is an important aspect of who I am, but it's just one part of my life. It is my backbone but there's more to me and my life than work. As an actor, my films have my 100 percent, but beyond that I have other passions and hobbies I like to cultivate and pursue.
Race 2 is your first sequel...
Yes, I always felt that there's a huge market for sequels here. AndRace definitely has the potential for many more installments. Being part of the sequel is as interesting as working in the original. This time was more challenging, physically.
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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