| Saif Ali Khan |
| Saif with Rosa |
'Rosa wants to act for pocket money…
her heart is not in it'
Saif Ali Khan talks a lot about girlfriend Rosa... and a little about his films
Ram Kamal Mukherjee
Rosa finally makes her entry into the glamour world with a commercial starring both of you.
It was a very pleasant experience. Frankly speaking, I played no role in casting Rosa for the commercial. It was the agency that wanted to shoot us together.
Is Rosa going to work in films now?
I think her interest lies in working with children. I think Rosa wants to act for pocket money. I don't think that her heart is in it. I doubt she will pursue a career as a model or an actress.
Is it true that you have forced Rosa to watch all your films?
Hey, how do you know? Did she complain? (Laughs) Yes, there has been a Saif Ali Khan film festival at home for some time now. I have shown her my films starting from Hum Tum to Being Cyrus. But Rosa feels that my best performance was in Parineeta.
Did she tell you why she liked it best?
She liked the costume and the feel of the film. She thought that the film was very Indian. Moreover, I have never played such an out-and-out Indian character in any of my films in the recent past.
Have you shown her your earlier films?
Yeah… recently she saw Main Khiladi Tu Anari. I didn't dare to ask her to comment on the film. (Laughs) But I am sure she liked it.
What did she have to say about your character Langda Tyagi in Omkara?
She hasn't seen the film yet. I guess she will understand the film once we subtitle it. Rosa has been extremely patient to sit through most of my films. I can't imagine sitting through an Italian movie for three hours without subtitles!
Will the uncouth character of Langda Tyagi have a negative impact on your fans?
I don't think so. Every year I do an off-beat film to satisfy my hunger as an actor. This year I am playing the uncouth Langda Tyagi.
Is it true that you chewed so much paan for the film that you now have to visit a dentist to remove the stains?
(He shows his teeth) Look at them, they are still yellow. I need to visit my dentist and get them cleaned. I have tried to get under the skin of the character to make Langda Tyagi convincing and real.
Are you starting your home production with your sister Soha Ali Khan?
No. I wanted to start a production company but decided against it. I love to control creativity which is why I wanted to make my own films. But then, over the years I have understood that if your ideas are genuine they will be accepted anyway.
When it came to choosing between Mani Ratnam's Guru and Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara you opted for the latter. You also declined Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay. Don't you think you missed out on great opportunities?
Hey, they might have lost out on me. (Laughs) I have the highest regards for Mani Ratnam and Ramu. But dates were a genuine problem. I have been making resolutions to be more focussed and set my priorities right. Films like Ek Haseena Thi, Parineeta, and Being Cyrus established my range as an actor. Similarly I have done the Yashraj type of films which are not everybody's type of cinema. So, I think I have struck a balance between art and commercial cinema. I am sure I will get another chance to work with these filmmakers.
Was it easy to match steps with Bipasha Basu in the item number in Omkara?
Vivek is the one who dances with Bipasha. I picked up my action from my spot boy, for the song. He is a terrible dancer, and when he was asked to dance he did exactly what I am doing in the film! If given a chance I would have danced decently, but Vishal told me, 'Hey. Just chill, you have not come here for a trance party!'
Do you think you deserved the National Award for Hum Tum?
I was in London when my mother called me and informed me about winning the National Award. Much has been written and talked about after that. Some feel that I did not deserve the award and some feel I did. As an actor I enjoy my work. I think there is a given time for everything. Kal Ho Naa Ho was a turning point for me and then there was Hum Tum, a film in which Aditya Chopra invested in me. Before this the timing was not right. Today, I think I have got whatever I deserve.
Have you hiked your price after Hum Tum?
Yes. But it's only because of my box-office success. Earlier, money talk used to make me uncomfortable, but not any more. In our industry the film is invariably based on the hero. Playing a hero requires focus and if you are demanding such focus then you ought to pay for it. Besides, I make money from the commercials and shows, and not only from films.
After Salaam Namaste people have labelled you as one of the most stylish and sexy men on screen.
Being a style icon doesn't interest me. I think that's crap! But yes, I don't mind being referred to as a sex symbol, that's one thing I could live with.
Music Corner
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
10