Posted:
" It would be wrong to compare my marriages as though one was any less than the other. Hopefully, I am less of a nightmare. Also, I was very young. I'm joking. The point I am making is that I'm more mature now. I understand things and I am ready in many ways to think in ways that I obviously wasn't" - says Saif Ali Khan
Faheem Ruhani January 14, 2014 | UPDATED 17:10 IST
Earlier you used to do one film at a time, now you've changed that strategy.
(Laughs) Slightly. No, it's three films a year. One should work, one should be more prolific. And I'm excited to do that. I feel happy and settled in my life and I'm ready to focus on doing more things.
So what's what lead to the transformation?
What transformation?
You were very clear about focussing on one film at a time earlier.
One film at a time?
Yeah, like Kareena was doing three to four films at a time and you were very sure you wanted to do one film at a time.
Somebody had asked me how do you influence Kareena and how does she influence you. Maybe this is how. She's making me work more.
Is it physically challenging and demanding to be fit at 44?
Yeah, it's becoming more and more important. It also feels good. I love being this age also and to be able to be in tune with your body. I mean, you do something wrong and you know about it. You do something right and it feels right. I don't even feel like eating a bag of chips. I feel it is a terrible indulgence.
Does that mean you won't endorse Lays chips anymore?
I'll endorse it but I'll try and eat less because I think you should keep an eye on your cholesterol. All things (should be done) in the right measure.
Don't they have a baked variety as well?
I want one now. (Calls out to his spot boy) Abdul, mere liye ek baked Lays laayenge please. With tomato sauce! Going back, acting is a great profession, it gives you the opportunity to be fit. A lot of people who I went to school with me are of out of shape now. So, this keeps it all together -- diet, exercise, sleep -- it's just great.
Truly, it is survival of the fittest in your profession.
Yes. It really is.
What has your second marriage taught you that probably did not understand the first time?
Life is like a journey. It would be wrong to compare the two as though one was any less than the other. Hopefully, I am less of a nightmare. Also, I was very young. I'm joking. The point I am making is that I'm more mature now. I understand things and I am ready in many ways to think in ways that I obviously wasn't. I said I was but I don't think I was.
So what has your Morrocan blunder taught you?
Agent Vinod is the Morrocan blunder? Just because I shot in Morocco. I watched it on TV a while ago. Started off so coolly, and then disintegrated into a huge mistake. It was a nice effort but it's good to have a failure and especially a big one like that. It made me realize that... I don't know if it's made me smarter. I just think it adds character to make something that went wrong. Our production company made four films, three of which have run. It was well-intentioned. I like the fact that it didn't run because I like that it adds something to you. You know what it is like to try really hard to do something really big and then fail miserably.
Do you still get anxious and nervous when a film is about to release?
Yes I do. Of course I do. I love every aspect of filmmaking and I love being in this industry. I love thinking of how to make a film. I still generally fall asleep during narrations so I prefer reading scripts. If someone tells me a story, I fall asleep unless it's a great narration. I heard a really bad narration the other day from a South Indian chap. I couldn't understand what they were saying.
As leading man, do you feel the pressure to be part of a film that does a business of Rs.100 crore and more?
Not pressured but it's nice to be a solidly saleable actor who works in big hits also. It's important. The numbers are growing. At the same time, not all films can make achieve that. Now it's Rs.200 crore. I mean you need a certain element of entertainment. I think even Barfi did Rs.100 crore business. That was a good movie. Also, I would like to do a good film that doesn't have the scope of making that much money because it might be a bit more niche.
There's no debating that your mom's contribution to cinema is far more abiding than yours. Didn't you get the Padma Shree before her?
No, she got the Padma Bhushan. And I think I am terribly undeserving of the Padma Shree. But, I feel like with most things I've been given whether it was a the National Award or this Padma Shree I think in time I hope to earn it where you look back and say 'well, yes it has been a remarkable contribution to cinema'. But I think I'm getting better and better at my work.
Looks like your daughter Sara is going to be an actor. What kind of professional inclination does your son Ibrahim shows at his age?
Playing cricket and bunking school. But, if not being interested in school can be an achievement then I am a little concerned.
Are you saying that because Kareena is a college dropout?
I'm saying that because Sara is at Columbia University. I don't have to look as far as Kareena, I myself have not been to college.
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